Jeju Issues Safety Warning as Bracken Gathering Leads to Numerous Lost and Injured Cases

Jeju Island is experiencing a surge in safety incidents as the spring bracken-gathering season gets underway, prompting authorities to issue a stern warning. The popular activity, which draws both locals and tourists into the island's lush natural landscapes, has unfortunately led to a significant number of accidents, primarily people becoming disoriented and lost in the wilderness.

Since a 'Bracken Gathering Lost Accident Advisory' was issued on March 31st, a total of 44 safety incidents have been recorded. The majority of these, 40 cases, involved individuals losing their way. Additionally, four cases of injuries, including falls and snakebites, have been reported. The problem has become particularly acute on weekends, with 14 incidents concentrated over just two days during the recent Hallasan Clean Bracken Festival. This highlights how easily people can lose their bearings when their focus is solely on the ground while searching for the edible ferns.

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When gathering bracken, you must always act with companions and ensure your mobile phone battery is fully charged.

Rescue operations have been ongoing. In one instance, a woman in her 60s was rescued after getting lost in a forest near Pyoseon-myeon, with emergency services utilizing GPS coordinates and national grid references to locate her. Another case involved a woman in her 60s in Namwon-eup who was found after an hour-long search along bracken-gathering routes, though she was not carrying a mobile phone, complicating the initial search. A snakebite incident involving a woman in her 40s was also reported.

Jeju's bracken-gathering season typically runs from late March to mid-May, a period when many venture into remote forests and fields. The Jeju Fire and Safety Headquarters is emphasizing the importance of safety precautions. They strongly advise individuals to always go in groups, ensure their mobile phones are fully charged, and to contact 119 immediately if they find themselves lost, rather than attempting to navigate further on their own. This advice is crucial for ensuring the safety of all who enjoy this traditional springtime activity.

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If you get lost, do not try to move recklessly; call 119 and wait for rescue.