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🇰🇷 South Korea /Disasters & Emergencies

Tidal flat accidents more than double… “Isolated in an instant while gathering shellfish”

From Hankyoreh · (6m ago) Korean Critical tone

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Accidents related to tidal flat activities, particularly 'haerujil' (shellfish gathering), have more than doubled this year, with 26 incidents reported by April 22 compared to 11 in the same period last year.
  • The number of fatalities and missing persons has also increased to four this year, up from one or two in previous years.
  • The Coast Guard warns of the dangers of losing direction in fog or darkness, falling into tidal channels, and emphasizes safety rules like checking tides, wearing safety gear, and going in groups.

The Hankyoreh reports a concerning surge in accidents occurring on South Korea's tidal flats, with incidents more than doubling in the early months of this year. The popular activity of 'haerujil,' or gathering shellfish, has been linked to a significant rise in these accidents, prompting warnings from the Coast Guard.

This trend is particularly alarming given the recent fatalities and disappearances. The article highlights specific tragic cases, including a 50-year-old who went missing due to fog and was found in cardiac arrest, and a 70-year-old who died after going missing during a nighttime gathering. These incidents underscore the inherent dangers of the tidal flats, especially when visibility is poor or the tide is coming in rapidly.

The tidal flats can become isolated in an instant, much faster than an adult can run.

— Jang In-sikActing Head of the Coast Guard, emphasizing the speed at which tidal flats can become dangerous.

The Coast Guard is urging the public to exercise extreme caution, emphasizing five key safety rules: checking the tide times, wearing safety equipment, going in groups of two or more, understanding the terrain, and respecting restricted areas. They stress that the incoming tide can move faster than a person can run, leading to swift and dangerous isolation.

From a South Korean perspective, tidal flats are not just recreational areas but also important ecological and economic zones. The Hankyoreh's coverage reflects a concern for public safety while acknowledging the cultural significance of activities like haerujil. The report serves as a crucial public service announcement, aiming to prevent further tragedies by informing the public about the risks and necessary precautions.

I think I got lost because of the fog.

— 50-something individualLast words to family before going missing during a morning haerujil session in Taean.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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