Suspicion of 'poor rescue' in Naksan Port fishing boat capsize accident... Police begin investigation into 6 members

The bereaved family "did not throw a lifeline and just stood by"... Charged with professional negligence causing death

The police began an investigation amid suspicions of poor response by rescue workers surrounding a fishing boat capsize accident that occurred at Naksan Port in Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do last month.

According to the legal community on the 15th, the Sokcho Police Station received a complaint filed by the surviving family of Captain A, who died in the accident, against six people, including the paramedics and rescue workers who were dispatched at the time. The charge applied is professional negligence causing death.

The bereaved family claimed that although the crews arrived at the scene and recognized Mr. A in danger, they did not even make minimal rescue efforts, such as throwing life-saving equipment, leading to the death.

According to the bereaved family, immediately after the accident, Mr. A swam to the vicinity of the breakwater while wearing a life jacket and loudly requested rescue. However, the crews who arrived at the scene did not immediately carry out rescue activities such as throwing lifelines. Mr. A, who was struggling after being pushed by the waves again, was rescued about 20 minutes after the accident, but eventually died.

The bereaved family pointed out, "If you look at the video filmed at the time, even though the elderly spouse of Mr.

Attorney Seo Bong-ha of Daeryun Law Firm, which represents Mr. A's bereaved family, said, "At the time, the three crew members went to the end of the breakwater with life-saving rings and returned back, but the victim was still conscious, waving his hands. Even after the crews returned, acquaintances at the scene tried to rescue the victim. Even at this time, if active rescue efforts, such as throwing life-saving rings, had been carried out, the situation would have been different."

Attorney Seo emphasized, "Although the bereaved family, including the victim's spouse who lost her husband in front of their eyes, is currently experiencing extreme psychological pain, the perpetrator is refusing to even request information disclosure regarding related data," adding, "There is an urgent need to secure objective data through search and seizure."

Reporter Hwang Jeong-won (garden@sidae.com)

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The era of companion media - Suspicion of 'poor rescue' in Naksan Port fishing boat capsize accident... Police begin investigation into 6 members (link)
News 1 - Naksan Port capsize accident survivors' rescue "delayed"... Six rescue and paramedics sued (link)