100 Meters Shy of the Sea... Bukang's Second Rescue Operation Suspended

[Anchor]

A second rescue operation was carried out to return "Bukang," a shark that has been lingering in Busan North Port for 15 days. This time, a large net was deployed to drive Bukang toward the sea. However, the operation was suspended just 100 meters away from the open water after the net got caught on the bottom.

Reporter Kim su-yun has the details.

[Reporter]

A large net measuring 50 meters wide and 6.8 meters high, custom-made to fit the width of the waterfront park's waterway, was installed.

As coast guard officials and other related agencies mobilized vessels to conduct a rehearsal lasting over two hours, crowds of citizens gathered.

News that this might be the last chance to see Bukang brought out citizens looking to bid it farewell.

[KIM DOYEON, Jeong Seo-yul, Kim Do-kyung / Saha-gu, Busan: We came to see Bukang one last time because we heard it was leaving today.]

However, as Bukang hid deeper inside the waterway, the operation started at 4:00 PM, 30 minutes later than originally planned.

One vessel pulled the net from the center of the waterway, while about 10 personnel deployed along both sides of the waterfront promenade held the ends of the net, driving Bukang toward the sea.

A vessel equipped with a water pump was positioned behind the net, but the pump was not used so as not to provoke Bukang.

As Bukang inched closer to the sea, cheers from the citizens grew louder.

However, at a point 100 meters away from the entrance of the waterway, the net snagged on the bottom and became tangled.

With the high tide approaching and water levels rising, the National Institute of Fisheries Science ultimately recommended suspending the operation.

Coast guard vessels withdrew around 5:30 PM.

Related agencies have secured both sides of the net to prevent Bukang from swimming back inside the waterway.

Bukang is currently reported to be lingering in the area between the net and the entrance of the waterway.

The Busan Metropolitan Government plans to monitor whether Bukang will head out to the sea on its own before holding a situation assessment meeting to discuss future rescue measures.

(Video by Kyungmun | Video Editing by Jeong Yong-hwa)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.