Tetrapods, Known as 'People Traps,' Claim 4 Lives and Injure 13 in Jeju Over 4 Years

As the peak summer vacation season arrives, an increasing number of tourists and anglers are visiting breakwaters, leading to a series of accidents involving falls from tetrapods (TTPs), also known as "three-legged" concrete blocks. Authorities are urging the public to exercise caution.

According to the Jeju Coast Guard on Tuesday (July 14), a total of 17 fall accidents have occurred on tetrapods at breakwaters across the island from 2023 to July of this year, resulting in 4 deaths and 13 injuries.

By year, there were 4 accidents in 2023, 4 in 2024, 4 last year, and 5 so far this year.

The number of fatalities was 2 in 2023, 1 in 2024, and 1 this year.

On the night of July 2, a man in his 70s who was fishing at a port in Dodu-dong, Jeju City, fell while walking on tetrapods. He was transported to a hospital but later died.

The Jeju Coast Guard is investigating the exact circumstances and cause of death, focusing on the possibility that the individual, identified as A, slipped and fell from the tetrapods.

In May 2024, a man in his 50s died after falling while walking on tetrapods at a breakwater in Samyang-dong, Jeju City, highlighting the ongoing nature of these accidents.

Tetrapods, where these frequent falls occur, are four-legged concrete structures installed to protect breakwaters by dissipating the force of waves.

Because one leg is typically hidden against another structure, they are commonly referred to as "three-legged" blocks.

The surfaces of tetrapods are often covered in moss and seaweed, and because they are exposed to swells and are sloped, they are extremely slippery, posing a high risk of slipping.

Despite the frequent loss of life, local governments have not implemented significant countermeasures beyond installing warning signs at a few breakwater locations.

An official from the Jeju Coast Guard stated, "Due to the height of about 3 meters and the complex structure of tetrapods, the impact of a fall is severe, and self-rescue is difficult. A simple misstep can lead to major casualties."

The official added, "When an accident occurs, the sound of waves and the enclosed structure make it difficult for distress calls to be heard. We strongly urge people to refrain from entering tetrapod areas and to wear life jackets at all times when fishing."

(Photo: Provided by Jeju Coast Guard, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.