A South Korean ferry carrying 267 people ran aground after the helmsman was distracted by his mobile phone, leading to the arrest of two crew members for negligence. All passengers and crew were safely rescued with only minor injuries reported.
On Wednesday evening, the passenger ferry Queen Jenuvia II ran aground on an uninhabited islet near Sinan County, South Jeolla Province, while en route from Jeju to Mokpo. The incident occurred in a narrow, reef-dense area that requires manual steering, but the vessel was on autopilot at the time. According to the Mokpo Coast Guard, the navigator on duty was looking at his phone and failed to disengage autopilot, causing the ferry to miss a turning point and strike the islet. The helmsman, who was present, did not override the error, leading to both being arrested for professional negligence resulting in injury.
Rescue operations commenced immediately after the grounding was reported around 8 p.m. local time. All 246 passengers and 21 crew members were safely evacuated to rescue boats and transferred to Mokpo within three hours. Approximately 30 people sustained minor injuries from the impact, such as bruises and shocks, and were taken to nearby hospitals. Most of the injured were discharged by Thursday morning, and other passengers were provided accommodation or sent home.
Authorities have seized the navigator’s phone for forensic analysis to verify his activities, as he initially claimed the rudder was unresponsive but later admitted to browsing news on his phone. The Coast Guard is investigating the helmsman’s role and why he did not disengage the autopilot. Additionally, the Mokpo Vessel Traffic Service is under scrutiny for not detecting the course deviation, with officials noting the controller was monitoring five vessels and the deviation was around 3 kilometers, which might have been difficult to assess in real time.
The incident brought back memories of the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster, which killed over 300 people and led to widespread safety reforms in South Korea. Passengers aboard the Queen Jenuvia II described a loud bang and initial panic, but many recalled the Sewol tragedy and remained calm, following instructions to wear life vests and wait for rescue. Footage from the scene showed passengers in life vests being helped onto coast guard boats, highlighting the coordinated response.
The ferry, a 26,546-ton vessel, was stuck with half its hull on land but did not sink or flood. It was eventually pulled free by tugboats and sailed under its own power to Mokpo port by early Thursday. The operator, Seaworld, has suspended all ferry services until safety inspections are completed. The Coast Guard plans to continue its investigation, potentially seeking formal arrest warrants for the detained crew and examining the captain’s responsibilities, as he was not on duty but should have been present in high-risk areas.
President Lee Jae Myung ordered swift rescue efforts and regular public updates, emphasizing the importance of passenger safety. The Coast Guard Commissioner General Kim Yong-jin stated that a thorough investigation is underway to determine the full scope of negligence and any systemic failures. This incident underscores ongoing concerns about maritime safety and the need for vigilant navigation, especially in hazardous waters.
