Barge Runs Aground at Ulleung Airport Construction Site
Salvage Efforts Hindered by Strong Winds and High Waves
An accident occurred at the Ulleung Airport construction site in North Gyeongsang Province, where a barge transporting riprap and aggregate ran aground.
A barge at the Ulleung Airport construction site sank in the waters off Ulleungdo. Photo by Kyungho Ahn
According to coverage by Asia Economy on May 24, at around 2:30 p.m. that day, a barge anchored in the waters off the airport construction site in Sadong-ri, Ulleung-eup, was swept toward the beach in front of the Iljudoro coastal road (Mullaechigi Beach). The bottom of the vessel struck rocks, leaving it unable to move.
After the accident, three nearby tugboats were dispatched to carry out salvage operations. However, it was reported that they faced difficulties such as towlines snapping due to strong winds and high waves during the towing process.
There was one crew member and one piece of equipment (an excavator) on board the barge, but fortunately, no casualties were reported.
The Coast Guard believes that the barge, which was anchored, was swept away and ran aground after its safety devices became disengaged amid swells accompanied by strong winds. Authorities are currently investigating the exact cause of the accident.
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