Human error likely to blame for ferry accident off southwestern coast in S. Korea
Human error was likely to blame for a passenger ferry's running aground off the southwestern coast this week, the Coast Guard said Thursday, after all 267 people aboard were safely rescued, Yonhap reports.
The 26,546-ton Queen Jenuvia II was carrying 246 passengers and 21 crew members when it ran aground on the uninhabited islet of Jok near Jangsan Island off the coast of Sinan, 366 kilometers south of Seoul, at 8:17 p.m. Wednesday.
During the first round of questioning, crew members told the Coast Guard that the navigator in charge at the time was looking at his phone, leaving the vessel on autopilot when it should have been operated manually to pass through narrow waters.
As a result, the ferry sailed past the point where it should have veered and ran aground the islet, stopping after half the hull had mounted the land.
The Coast Guard said it plans to seek criminal charges against those responsible.
The ferry was dislodged by towing and sailed into a nearby port in the southwestern city of Mokpo at 5:44 a.m., some nine hours after it ran aground. No holes or leaks were found in the ship, enabling it to sail on its own.
All the passengers were brought to shore beforehand, within some three hours of the accident, but the crew members stayed behind to help bring the vessel to port.
None of the passengers were reported to be seriously injured, though some were taken to hospitals after complaining of mild pains or nervous breakdowns.
The ferry's operator, Seaworld, said it has suspended all services until the investigation and safety inspections are completed.
Passengers were informed to unload their cars and luggage after the ferry arrived at port. A total of 118 vehicles had been on the vessel as it traveled to Mokpo from the southern island of Jeju.
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Head of State, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, expressed his deep condolences following the tragic fire in a private house in Zhetysai district, Turkistan region.
