Pohang: All four uniformed personnel aboard a South Korean navy patrol plane were killed after it crashed on a mountain in southeastern South Korea. The tragic incident occurred on Thursday and involved a P-3CK aircraft, one of the eight such planes operating in Pohang and Jeju.

According to Anadolu Agency, the deceased included two commissioned officers and two non-commissioned officers. Authorities successfully retrieved their bodies, although some were harmed due to the impact of the crash and the subsequent fire. The incident unfolded around 1.50 pm local time (0450GMT) and was soon followed by local witnesses reporting smoke emanating from the mountain area.

The crash has drawn attention to the South Korean Navy's operational capabilities and the safety measures in place for its surveillance aircraft. The authorities are expected to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the crash and prevent future occurrences.