Which item is lost the most among train users?

Lost items are seen at a lost and found center. (Korea Railroad Corp.)

Train users are most prone to forgetting their bags on trains or at train stations, data showed on Monday.

According to state-run railway operator Korea Railroad Corp., the total number of lost items found on trains and at train stations nationwide reached 247,225 last year, marking an on-year increase of 51.9 percent. The translates to an average of 677 lost belongings daily.

Breaking down the list of lost property, bags topped the list, accounting for about 15 percent of the total, followed by wallets and shopping bags at 11.4 percent and 10.7 percent, respectively. Cell phones ranked fourth on the list, standing at 10.4 percent.

Although rare, there were incidences of ownerless animals found on the train, such as dogs, snakes and lizards.

Busan Station reported the highest number of lost items, with 45,591, while Seoul Station came in second with 37,213 lost items.

Of all lost personal belongings, a significant portion, 56.9 percent, was retrieved by their owners, with 97 percent of them claimed within a week after the initial reports were made. However, approximately 38 percent of the items were transferred to police stations, while a small percentage, 4.4 percent, were discarded, primarily perishable items like food.

Lost belongings are retained at stations where they are found for a week. If they remain unclaimed during this period, they are then transferred to police stations.

People have the option to report their lost belongings at the lost and found centers in station offices, contact railway customer centers or inform the train crew on board.

Lost items can also be reported and found online through Lost112, a police-operated lost and found website.

By No Kyung-min(minmin@heraldcorp.com)