Baby dies aboard Philippines-South Korea flight after premature birth
Authorities are investigating the death of the premature infant, born to a Filipino mother aboard a Jeju Air flight
Emergency responders received a report early Sunday morning that an infant delivered mid-flight was not breathing, The Korea Herald newspaper reported. By the time medical personnel arrived, the newborn had no pulse and was pronounced dead after being transported to a nearby hospital.
She was in her 23rd to 25th week of pregnancy, Yonhap News reported. Under airline regulations, women before their 32nd week of pregnancy face no flight restrictions.
The airport police are investigating the incident as, under international law, a nation retains legal authority – known as flag state jurisdiction – over its flagged vessels, including aircraft.
“As the baby was born and died on a Korean-flagged aircraft, Korean authorities will handle the investigation,” a police official said, according to the Korea JoongAng Daily. “We will thoroughly examine the circumstances of the birth and what led to the child’s death.”