Death by Tidal Isolation in the Mudflats of Buan, Jeonbuk
Broadcaster Kim Byung-man confessed that the woman in her 70s who lost her life in a past tidal flat high tide isolation accident was his mother.
On the 9th, Kim Byung-man showed tears on the TV Chosun program 'Sikgaek Heo Young-man's Baekban Journey,' saying, "(It has been) three years since (my mother passed away)." He mentioned the 'tidal flat high tide isolation death accident' that was widely reported in the media in the past. The woman in her 70s who tragically lost her life in that accident was his mother.
Kim Byung-man explained, "She went into the sea during low tide, but when the high tide came in, she couldn't get out and passed away." At that time, his mother was collecting mussels to give to her grandchildren. Kim Byung-man lamented, "Even when she was coming out, she didn't let go of them. I think that's the heart of mothers."
The accident occurred on May 4, 2022, at a tidal flat in Buan-gun, Jeonbuk Province. Three tourists, including a woman in her 70s who was digging for clams, were suddenly trapped by the incoming tide.
Tourists collecting clams in the mudflats. The photo is for illustrative purposes and is not related to any specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]
They were engrossed in clam collecting for about four hours and realized the incoming tide too late, resulting in their isolation. Of the three tourists, two were safely rescued, but Kim Byung-man's mother ultimately died.
Meanwhile, every year, more than dozens of people experience being trapped in tidal flats. Some of them lose their lives. From 2020 to 2022, a total of 196 tidal flat isolation accidents occurred, resulting in 18 deaths.
Especially in the West Sea, where the tidal range is large, caution is necessary during high tide periods. The speed at which seawater flows in during high tide is on average 10 to 15 km/h, which is 2 to 3 times the walking speed of an adult (5 km/h).
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