Crew Arrested After South Korean Ferry Runs Aground With 267 People Aboard

All 267 passengers and crew aboard a South Korean ferry were safely rescued after the vessel ran aground off the country’s southwestern coast on Wednesday evening, the Coast Guard reported.

The 26,546-tonne Queen Jenuvia II, carrying 246 passengers and 21 crew members, ran aground near the uninhabited Jok Islet off Jangsan Island in Sinan County, around 366 kilometres south of Seoul, at approximately 8:17 p.m.

The ferry had departed from Jeju Island and was en route to the port city of Mokpo. Half of the ferry’s hull reportedly rested on the rocky islet.

The Coast Guard deployed 17 patrol ships, four coastal rescue vessels, a plane, and special rescue personnel to evacuate all passengers and crew safely. Twenty-seven people reported minor injuries, mainly from shock, and received medical attention.

Children, pregnant women, and elderly passengers were evacuated first, with the remainder awaiting transfer on deck while wearing life jackets. Video footage showed passengers waiting calmly as rescue boats approached. Weather conditions at the time were reported to be fair with light winds.

Officials suggested that human error may have contributed to the incident. A Coast Guard official in Mokpo stated that the vessel deviated from its regular course and veered late during navigation.

Commissioner General Kim Yong-jin indicated that the captain or navigator may have made errors, although neither was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Investigators are reviewing navigation data, surveillance camera footage, vessel traffic control records, and crew testimonies.

Video Credits: APT/YouTube

On Thursday, the Coast Guard arrested the first officer and an Indonesian crew member for suspected gross negligence. Officers said the two were at the helm and may have delayed overriding the autopilot, resulting in the ferry striking the islet in a narrow coastal channel.

Conflicting testimonies from the crew are being examined, and authorities plan to conduct forensic checks on their phones.

President Lee Jae Myung, who was visiting the Middle East at the time, reportedly instructed authorities to ensure swift rescue efforts and provide real-time updates to reassure the public. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok also ordered all available vessels and equipment to be mobilised.

The incident reminded people of the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster in the same region, which claimed over 300 lives, mostly school children. The Sewol sank after being overloaded and modified illegally, capsizing as passengers awaited rescue while instructed to stay in their cabins.

The Queen Jenuvia II, operated by Mokpo-based Seaworld Ferry, has a capacity of 1,010 passengers and multiple decks for vehicles and cargo. Following the grounding, the vessel was towed to Mokpo port, sustaining minor hull damage with visible scratch marks.

Authorities are continuing the investigation to determine whether the ferry could have safely changed course in the narrow channel surrounded by small islands and to establish all contributing factors.

References: Reuters, Korea Times

Source: Maritime Shipping News