[News Today] “Hangang Bus off course after light fails”

[LEAD]
We reported yesterday on the accident involving Seoul's new Hangang Bus ferry service.

The cause of the accident was in the failed navigation light, causing the ferry to veer off course and get stuck in shallow waters.

There have been 15 reported cases where the ferry's underside hit the riverbed or floating debris.

[REPORT]
The Hangang Bus, Seoul’s new river ferry, suddenly stopped some 100 meters from the Jamsil dock.

The 82 passengers stranded on the river were transferred to a 119 rescue boat and were all brought to the dock within an hour.

Three days have passed but the vessel still remains in the same spot.

The ferry service is not operating at four docks between Apgujeong and Jamsil.

Kim Jun-ho / Seoul resident
They say it was inspected for a month. I hope they thoroughly analyze the cause.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government briefed the media on the details of the accident two days later, through the CEO of Hangang Bus.

According to the briefing, the right side navigation lamp in front of the dock was not functioning due to a battery issue, causing the captain to veer off course.

And as the ferry was entering a shallow area with the water level lower than usual amid the dry season, it eventually ran aground.

Kim Seon-jik / Hangang Bus CEO
It turned right after checking the navigation light but ended up in shallow water.

While sailing on the normal route, the Hangang Bus has had its hull come into contact with the riverbed, logs, and other debris 15 times so far.

Kim Seon-jik / Hangang Bus CEO
Reports of contact with debris started coming in from Nov. 7.
There have been around 15 reports.

Despite an accident occurring during last month's inspection period when the ferry collided with a buoy, the Seoul city government belatedly disclosed the incident only after the Democratic Party raised concern.

■ 제보하기
▷ 전화 : 02-781-1234, 4444
▷ 이메일 : kbs1234@kbs.co.kr
▷ 카카오톡 : 'KBS제보' 검색, 채널 추가
▷ 카카오 '마이뷰', 유튜브에서 KBS뉴스를 구독해주세요!

KBS