[Anchor]
A vehicle has plunged into the sea at a port in Seogwipo. Thanks to a prompt report from a nearby angler who witnessed the incident, a woman in her 70s inside the vehicle was rescued safely within nine minutes. As similar accidents continue to occur at ports in Jeju, the need for safety facility inspections is growing.
JIBS reporter Kwon Min-ji reports.
[Reporter]
A vehicle is seen precariously floating in the waters off the port.
Coast Guard officers and 119 rescue team members swim toward the vehicle.
[Coast Guard: The vehicle is currently slowly sinking into the sea.]
The vehicle, driven by an angler, suddenly accelerated and plunged into the ocean.
Fortunately, a witness was nearby and reported the incident immediately.
[Lee Jae-seok/Witness: I looked toward the sea and saw a car floating away. I was so shocked. She saw me, rolled down the window, and started waving her hands, pleading for help. So I called 119...]
When the rescue team arrived, the vehicle was already sinking into the water.
The driver was found lying face down inside the vehicle and was rescued just nine minutes after the report was received, then transported to a hospital.
According to the Coast Guard investigation, the driver plunged into the sea while attempting to park the vehicle.
The Coast Guard is investigating the exact circumstances of the incident based on the driver's statement that the vehicle moved despite her pressing the brake pedal.
Two years ago, a truck also plunged into the sea in Seogwipo.
In that accident, a couple in their 60s and 70s were rescued in a state of cardiac arrest and transported to a hospital.
Over the past five years, there have been approximately 20 vehicle plunge accidents at ports in the Jeju region, resulting in nearly 10 deaths.
As these accidents continue to repeat, there are calls to re-examine safety management at ports, including the installation of anti-plunge barriers and safety signs.
The Coast Guard has urged drivers to slow down near ports and to always verify that the vehicle is properly secured when parking.
(Video by Kang Myeong-cheol, JIBS | Footage courtesy of Seogwipo Coast Guard, Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters, and viewer Nam Shin-hyung)
Reported by Kwon Min-ji, JIBS
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.