Fatal Accidents Surge in Chungbuk, Gyeongbuk, and Gangwon
Expert Warns: "Collecting Alone or at Night Is Dangerous"
Tragic accidents resulting in fatalities have continued to occur as people collect freshwater snails in rivers during the summer season.
According to the National Fire Agency on July 13, there were a total of 59 rescue operations related to freshwater snail collection accidents between June and August over the past three years (2022?2024). Of these, 14 individuals were transported to hospitals in cardiac arrest.
On this day, Yonhap News Agency reported that fatal accidents during freshwater snail collection have continued this year in various regions across the country, including Chungbuk, Gyeongbuk, and Gangwon.
At around 9:57 a.m. on July 5, an elderly woman in her 80s was found dead while collecting freshwater snails in Yeonggang, Gaeun-eup, Mungyeong, Gyeongbuk. In another case, at approximately 1:30 p.m. on July 4, a man in his 60s was found in cardiac arrest by a local resident after entering the water with a collection net in Gamcheon, Unam-gil, Miwon-myeon, Sangdang-gu, Cheongju, Chungbuk. He was transported to a hospital but ultimately passed away.
Earlier, at 10:48 p.m. on June 30, a man in his 80s, referred to as Mr. A, drowned while collecting freshwater snails in a river in Boeun-eup, Boeun County, Chungbuk. His wife, who accompanied him, told police, "My husband suddenly slipped and disappeared, possibly after stepping on a rock." It was reported that Mr. A had been collecting freshwater snails about 100 meters away from his wife at the time.
Chungbuk Boeun River Search Site. Boeun Fire Station, Yonhap News Agency Photo by Yonhap News Agency
On the same day, at around 11:53 p.m., another person in their 80s was found dead near the submerged weir in Gohyeoncheon, Geumho-ri, Hwanam-myeon, Yeongcheon, Gyeongbuk. He had left home saying he was going to collect freshwater snails, and his family reported him missing when he did not return late into the night. Two days earlier, at 5:31 p.m. on June 28, a man in his 60s was found dead after falling into two-meter-deep water while collecting freshwater snails in a valley in Misan-ri, Sangnam-myeon, Inje County, Gangwon.
Freshwater snails, commonly used as an ingredient in hangover soup, are aquatic products that can be easily collected by anyone from between rocks or the riverbed. However, those engrossed in collecting them may unknowingly step into areas with strong currents, deep water, or depressions, and can quickly find themselves in danger of drowning.
Lee Janghyun, leader of Rescue Team 2 at the Chungju Fire Station, emphasized, "Even rivers that appear calm can have sudden deep pools, and entering areas with strong currents can sweep you away. No matter how skilled a swimmer you are, if you slip underwater and panic, you may lose your ability to respond." He added, "Simply wearing a life jacket as a minimum safety measure can prevent the worst-case scenario."
There have also been cases where people, searching for nocturnal freshwater snails, enter the water late at night and end up in dangerous situations. Rescue authorities have warned, "Collecting freshwater snails alone after dark is a life-threateningly dangerous act and must be strictly avoided."
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