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Ferry runs aground off South Korea's southwest coast; two arrested
A passenger ferry carrying 267 people struck rocks and ran aground near the uninhabited Jogdo Island off South Korea's southwest coast on Wednesday, prompting the rescue of all aboard and the arrest of two crew members for alleged negligence.
Twenty-seven passengers and crew sustained minor injuries when the Queen Jenuvia 2 became stuck near Jangsan Island in Shinan County, according to the South Korean coast guard. The vessel, en route from Jeju Island to the port city of Mokpo, was later towed to a nearby harbor for inspection.
Crew members detained amid negligence probe
Authorities arrested the ferry's helmsman and first mate on charges of gross negligence leading to injury, the coast guard confirmed to the BBC. Investigators initially examined claims of a steering malfunction but later determined the helmsman had been distracted by his phone, missing a critical course correction.
The boat's captain remains under investigation as authorities work to establish the full sequence of events. "We are still determining the precise cause of the accident," a coast guard spokesperson stated.
Passengers recount chaotic moments
Eyewitness accounts shared on social media and local news outlets described sudden panic after the vessel struck the rocks. "There was a deafening crash, then the ship listed sharply," one passenger told Yonhap news agency. "The crew announced life jackets were mandatory, so we gathered on the top deck to wait."
"I thought I might die. The noise was terrifying. But remembering the Sewol tragedy, I knew I had to stay calm, get outside, and put on a life jacket."
Kim Namhyun, diving instructor on Jeju Island, speaking to Reuters
Echoes of 2014 Sewol disaster
The incident occurred near the site of South Korea's deadliest maritime disaster, where the Sewol ferry sank in 2014, killing more than 300 people-most of them high school students on a field trip. The wreckage was salvaged and brought to Mokpo nearly three years later.
Wednesday's grounding involved the 26,000-tonne Queen Jenuvia 2, a significantly larger vessel than the Sewol. While no fatalities were reported, the incident has reignited concerns over ferry safety protocols in the region.
Next steps
Coast guard officials said they would conduct a full technical inspection of the ferry's navigation systems and review crew communications leading up to the grounding. A preliminary report is expected within the week, though the broader investigation may extend for months.
