164 Deaths and Missing in Maritime Accidents Last Year... Highest Since Sewol Ferry Disaster

Last year, the number of deaths and missing persons due to maritime accidents totaled 164, an increase of 70 people (74.5%) compared to the previous year. This is the highest number of casualties in 10 years since the Sewol ferry disaster in 2014 (467 people).

The Central Maritime Safety Tribunal of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced the "2024 Maritime Accident Statistics" on the 24th, which includes the number of maritime accidents and damage status for the past year.

According to the statistics, a total of 164 people died or went missing due to maritime accidents last year. By type of accident, casualties were as follows: safety accidents 84 people (51.2%), capsizing accidents 40 people (24.4%), sinking accidents 18 people (11.0%), collision accidents 17 people (10.4%), fire and explosion accidents 2 people (1.2%), and other accidents 3 people (1.8%).

Compared to the previous year, casualties increased by 29 people (52.7%) in safety accidents, 24 people (150.0%) in capsizing, 14 people (350.0%) in sinking, and 4 people (30.8%) in collisions.

By vessel usage, fishing vessel accidents accounted for 2,175 cases (66.2%), water leisure equipment accidents 607 cases (17.9%), and cargo and other non-passenger vessel accidents 475 cases (15.9%). Compared to the previous year, fishing vessel and water leisure equipment accidents increased by 6.3% (128 cases) and 9.4% (52 cases) respectively, while non-passenger vessel accidents decreased by 3.5% (17 cases).

By type of accident, major accidents such as collisions, capsizing, sinking, and fires totaled 706 cases, with collisions at 242 cases (34.3%), safety accidents 185 cases (26.2%), fire and explosion 140 cases (19.8%), capsizing 95 cases (13.5%), and sinking 44 cases (6.2%). Among simple accidents (2,549 cases), engine damage was the most common with 1,023 cases (40.1%).

Compared to the previous year, major accidents increased by 5.1% (34 cases), and simple accidents also increased by 5.3% (129 cases).

Minister Kang Do-hyung of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries stated, "This year, our top priority is to reduce casualties from maritime accidents by strengthening safety management. We ask related industries and workers to actively cooperate to establish a safety culture in the maritime and fisheries sectors."