Overview

• The aircraft went down at 1:52 p.m. Thursday in the hills outside Pohang, prompting an urgent distress call.
• Local witnesses described a bright object falling from the sky and an audible explosion before black smoke rose from the crash site.
• Rugged mountain terrain is complicating search efforts as emergency crews work to locate any survivors.
• In an official statement, the South Korean navy identified the aircraft as a P-3 patrol plane carrying four personnel.
• Authorities have not confirmed the condition of those onboard and continue to coordinate rescue operations.