{
  "id": 10883602,
  "title": "Shark stranded in South Korean canal draws 600,000 visitors as rescue bid fails",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/shark-stranded-in-south-korean-canal-draws-600-000-visitors-as-rescue",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-30T06:48:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2026/09/1544586/shark-stranded-south-korean-canal-draws-600000-visitors-rescue-bid"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A 3.5-meter shark became an unexpected star in Busan, South Korea, after becoming stranded in a canal for two weeks. The highly unusual situation drew an estimated 600,000 visitors to the city during this time. The shark, likely a bronze whaler, was first spotted on September 18 in North Port. Despite rescue efforts by the Coast Guard and other agencies, the shark was unable to be guided back to open waters. Authorities are now planning to attempt to trap the shark using a net. Dubbed \"Bukangi\" by locals, the shark has become a beloved symbol of Busan and was even appointed as an honorary public relations ambassador for the city following a popular poll.",
  "summary": "SEOUL: A shark stranded in a canal in the South Korean port of Busan has become the country’s latest wildlife sensation, with the city saying about 600,000 people have flocked to see it over the past two weeks.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "South Korea embraces a huge shark slowly circling a canal in the country’s biggest port city",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/south-korea-embraces-a-huge-shark-slowly-circling-a-canal-in-the",
        "published": "2026-09-30T07:25:51.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Guardian",
        "title": "South Korea calls for apology from North Korea after mine injures three soldiers",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/south-korea-calls-for-apology-from-north-korea-after-mine-injures",
        "published": "2026-09-30T07:53:24.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW News",
        "title": "South Korea: Lost shark draws over half a million visitors",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/south-korea-lost-shark-draws-over-half-a-million-visitors",
        "published": "2026-09-30T09:07:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "Tensions mount as South Korea demands apology from North over mine blast",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/tensions-mount-as-south-korea-demands-apology-from-north-over-mine",
        "published": "2026-09-30T09:14:47.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}