As demand for freshwater snails, a seasonal summer food, increases, accidents involving people collecting these snails have been occurring consecutively. Fire authorities have urged special caution, warning that even if the water depth appears shallow, the current can suddenly become fast or the depth can increase.
On the 26th of last month, a man in his 60s collecting freshwater snails in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, died. Police and fire authorities launched a search after a citizen reported suspicious signs, such as a parked passenger car and a small boat floating on the river for several days. They recovered the deceased, Mr. A, within an hour.
Safety accident disaster training scene for collecting freshwater snails. [Photo by Chungbuk Fire Headquarters]
The police are investigating the circumstances, believing that Mr. A met with an accident while collecting freshwater snails.
Several fatal incidents related to freshwater snail collection also occurred last summer. Most victims drowned and either died while being transported to the hospital after rescue or were found dead after being reported missing.
In Pyeongchang River, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon Province, a man in his 60s who went missing after falling into the water while collecting freshwater snails was found dead downstream after one day. Similarly, a man in his 60s was found dead while collecting freshwater snails in the nearby Hongcheon River.
In 2020, near Jucheon River in Jucheon-myeon, Yeongwol-gun, Gangwon Province, Ms. A (76), who was collecting freshwater snails with her husband, drowned and died. She was rescued by firefighters who responded immediately after the report but died during treatment at the hospital.
Most of these victims appear to have been unable to escape from areas where the water flow and depth changed abruptly while focusing on collecting freshwater snails in valleys or streams.
As accidents related to freshwater snail collection frequently occur every summer, the National Fire Agency has also urged special caution.
According to statistics released by the National Fire Agency in 2020, there were 142 rescue dispatches related to freshwater snail collection over the past three years (2017?2019). This averages 47 cases per year, with June having the highest number at 48 cases, including 20 deaths. July followed with 34 cases (14 deaths), and August with 31 cases (9 deaths). By region, Gangwon Province had the most cases at 33, followed by Gyeongnam with 22, Chungbuk with 21, Gyeonggi with 18, Gyeongbuk with 16, Jeonnam with 10, Jeonbuk with 9, Daejeon and Chungnam with 6, and Busan with 1. Over the three years, 52 people lost their lives while collecting freshwater snails nationwide. This means nearly 17 people die each year due to sudden water level rises while collecting freshwater snails.
To prevent accidents related to freshwater snail collection, the National Fire Agency emphasized the following: ▲ work in groups of two or more ▲ avoid collecting while intoxicated ▲ do not enter the water if feeling unwell ▲ wear life jackets and slip-resistant shoes ▲ avoid collecting in unfamiliar places or during dark hours.
Additionally, it is essential to perform warm-up exercises before entering the water and to wet the legs, arms, face, and chest in that order. Wearing safety equipment such as slip-resistant shoes is also mandatory.
A National Fire Agency official stated, "Most freshwater snail collection accidents occur due to a lack of safety awareness," adding, "To prevent accidents, basic safety rules such as wearing life jackets must be strictly followed."
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