‘3년간 23명 사망’…늦더위에 폐장 후 해수욕장 안전관리 비상

On September 19th, a tragedy unfolded at a beach in Gangwon-do's Geoje, where a man named Kim G was swept out to sea while snorkeling alone. Kim G's family reported him missing after one hour passed without his return. Emergency services were alerted and immediately dispatched, coordinating a massive search effort involving helicopters, patrol boats, lifeboats, rescue teams, diving equipment, and marine rescue vessels.

Fortunately, a helicopter found Kim G about 460 meters offshore, swimming in the eastern part of the beach. He was safely brought back to shore by the emergency services using a personal watercraft. Although Kim G was unharmed, he had not worn a life jacket nor made any contact with family or friends through his mobile phone, placing himself in a dangerous position.

A spokesperson from the Korea Coast Guard's Department of Marine Safety stated that had the family or friends of snorkelers been informed of the activity location and scheduled completion time, along with basic safety regulations, they could have prevented the reported incident. As more beaches close due to operational challenges, the risk of accidents rises, especially when many people gather at the same location.

Beach closures lead to the removal of safety equipment, staff reduction, and gaps in safety management. Beaches without designated swim zones may see users spread out along the entire coastline, and harsh weather conditions such as strong waves or storms could complicate rescue efforts. According to statistics from the past three years (August 15th to September 30th), there have been a total of 81 beach-related incidents, resulting in 23 fatalities.

Geoje's emergency services are ramping up efforts to address safety gaps following beach closures. They are prioritizing high-risk locations and times, strengthening patrols, conducting facility inspections, and enhancing cooperation with related organizations. This includes immediate deployment of beach safety officers and regular monitoring of vulnerable areas such as snorkeling spots, fishing hotspots, areas prone to strong waves, and overnight beach visits.

Coast Guard official Kim Yong-woo cautioned, "When searching for the sea, always wear a life jacket and avoid entering dangerous areas like areas with narrow beaches or high tides."