South Korea: Ferry runs aground in southwest March 25

Event

A ferry carrying over 160 people ran aground in the waters off South Korea's southwestern coast on Sunday, March 26. All 158 passengers and the five crew members on board were rescued; 23 passengers with minor injuries were taken to the hospital. The incident occurred around 16:00 (local time) near Shinan county, 400 km (250 mi) south of the capital Seoul. The ship hit rocks while moving through dense fog.

Context

Maritime accidents occasionally occur in South Korea. The sinking of the Sewol ferry in April 2014, off the southwestern coast, claimed the lives of 304 people, most of them teenagers on a school trip.