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

[Anchor]

A second rescue operation was carried out to send back "Bukang," a shark that has been staying at Busan North Port for 15 days. Large nets were mobilized to drive Bukang toward the sea, but the operation was suspended with just 100 meters left to the open water after the net got caught on the bottom.

Reporter Kim su-yun.

[Reporter]

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

Citizens gathered as related agencies, including the Coast Guard, used vessels to conduct a rehearsal lasting more than two hours.

Following news that this might be the last chance to see Bukang, citizens continued to visit to see the shark off.

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

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

One vessel pulled the net from the center of the waterway, while about 10 personnel deployed on both sides of the waterside 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 in order to avoid provoking Bukang.

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

However, at a point 100 meters away from the entrance of the waterway, the net got caught on the waterway floor and became tangled.

As the high tide approached and the water level rose, the National Institute of Fisheries Science ultimately recommended suspending the operation.

Coast Guard vessels withdrew around 5:30 p.m.

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

Bukang is currently known to be lingering between the net and the entrance of the waterway.

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

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