Assumed Explosion and Fire of Hazardous Chemicals on a Ship at Busan New Port
On the 18th, a simulated 'accident situation' unfolded at Busan New Port, where a joint hazardous chemical accident response and containment drill involving the Changwon Coast Guard and civilian, government, and military agencies took place.
According to the Changwon Coast Guard Station, the scene depicted a scenario where an explosion and fire occurred due to the leakage of hazardous chemicals from a packaged dangerous goods container loaded on a container ship docked at Busan New Port.
Changwon Coast Guard rescue team members are conducting training to seal the leakage area. [Photo by Changwon Coast Guard]
As smoke rose from the ship staged to appear on fire, vessels from the Korea Coast Guard and the Korea Maritime Administration rushed to the scene, cutting through the water to extinguish the fire.
At the port, fire trucks arrived to spray water and fire hoses on the ship, while armored vehicles and police cars controlled access around the area, preparing for any emergency.
At Firefighting Vessel No. 12, extinguishing agent is being sprayed toward the hazardous chemical fire site. [Photo by Changwon Maritime Police Station]
Containment of the leaking hazardous substances was carried out, along with rapid evacuation of nearby residents and rescue of crew members on board to prevent casualties.
Information on the leaked chemicals and their characteristics, as well as the response status of each agency, was shared in real-time throughout the drill via the disaster safety communication network.
The drill involved over 100 personnel from 15 organizations, including the Changwon Coast Guard, Busan Regional Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office, Chemical Safety Agency, Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office, Navy, Changwon Special City, Changwon Fire Headquarters, and Busan branch of the Korea Marine Environment Corporation.
A joint civil-government-military hazardous chemical accident response and containment drill is being conducted at Busan New Port. [Photo by Changwon Maritime Police Station]
Before the drill, participants received a briefing on the special equipment used in chemical accident response, reviewing the types and functions of each device.
A coastal containment technology consulting expert, participating as part of a retired public officials' social contribution project, also shared specialized knowledge and technical know-how on containment.
Members who participated in the 2023 Civil-Military-Government Joint Hazardous Chemical Incident Response and Control Training are taking a commemorative photo. [Photo by Changwon Coast Guard]
Hwang Seon-ju, Director of the Marine Pollution Containment Division, said, “All dock officials attended the drill held at Busan New Port, a nationally important facility, showing great interest in accident response,” adding, “Since a chemical accident can cause tremendous damage even from a single incident, we will continue to strive to establish clear roles for each agency and an organic response system.”
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