Weekend Nationwide Beach, Valley, and Swimming Pool Vacationers Face Many Accidents... 7 Deaths Reported

4 Dead in Gangwon, 2 in Pohang, 1 in Jeonbuk
Fire Authorities "Life Jackets Must Be Worn"

Over the weekend, vacationers who visited various places across the country for water activities consecutively lost their lives in accidents.

At around 2 p.m. on the 13th, an accident occurred in Naerincheon, Inje-eup, Inje-gun, where an 80-year-old Mr. A, who was riding a rafting board, fell into the water as the boat capsized in the current and died.

During the short holiday period on the 13th, Gyeongpo Beach in Gangneung-si, Gangwon is bustling with vacationers.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Earlier that day, at around 12:26 p.m., a man in his 70s, Mr. B, drowned at Hanseom Beach in Cheongok-dong, Donghae City. The fire department transported Mr. B to a nearby hospital, but he ultimately passed away.

Two deaths also occurred the previous day. At 2:53 p.m. the day before, a man in his 60s, Mr. C, who was swimming at a swimming pool in Jumunjin-eup, Gangneung City, suddenly lost consciousness and collapsed while swimming. He was taken to the hospital but eventually died.

On the same day, at around 12:53 p.m., a father in his 40s and his teenage son drowned at a small village beach in Samcheok City. They were taken to the hospital, but the father, who was rescued unconscious, ultimately died.

According to Samcheok City, the beach where the accident occurred was a small village-level beach. It was not opened this year, and no lifeguards were assigned.

Although Gangwon-do had the highest number of fatalities, accidents continued at beaches, valleys, and swimming pools across the country over the weekend.

At around 12:46 p.m. on the 13th in Pohang, two men in their 50s drowned in the sea in front of Chilpo Beach. They were taken to the hospital but died.

The previous day at 1:40 p.m., a man in his 50s was transported to a nearby hospital in cardiac arrest from Unju Valley, Unju-myeon, Wanju-gun, Jeonbuk, but he died.

The coast guard, police, and fire authorities are investigating the exact circumstances of the accidents involving the seven fatalities.

Meanwhile, a fire department official urged, "Please be sure to wear life jackets when playing in the water, not only at the sea but also in valleys and swimming pools."