Body of male driver found in car that fell into sea at Dangjin jetty
In short
A car fell into the sea at the Maetdol port jetty in Dangjin, South Chungcheong, on the evening of 20 October, and the coast guard found it about 22 hours after the report. Rescuers recovered the body of a male driver from the driver's seat on 21 October. The coast guard is checking his identity and whether anyone else was aboard.
Read the full story 2 min read
A car fell into the sea at the Maetdol port jetty in Sinpyeong-myeon, Dangjin, South Chungcheong, on 20 October, and the coast guard found it on 21 October with the body of a male driver inside. The Pyeongtaek coast guard said an angler nearby reported seeing the car go into the water at about 18:24 to 18:25 on 20 October. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 8 , 9 ]
The coast guard sent rescue teams, but the car was not found overnight and it was not known whether anyone was in it. Newsis reported that the search stopped at about 23:30 on 20 October and resumed at 07:00 the next day. A coast guard official told Newsis that poor weather made underwater visibility difficult. Newsis said the weather agency issued a wind and wave advisory for the central West Sea offshore waters at about 03:30. [ 2 , 3 ]
Kyunghyang Shinmun reported that the search drew a coast guard rescue team, three patrol vessels and seven civilian voluntary rescue boats, with fire services and Dangjin police also taking part. It said 15 people, nine from the coast guard and six from related agencies, were searching underwater. Dong-A Ilbo said the coast guard also used sonar and underwater drones. [ 2 , 8 , 9 ]
On 21 October the coast guard found the car and recovered one body from the driver's seat. Newsis and Dong-A Ilbo identified it as a male driver. The outlets differ on the time of discovery: Newsis said about 16:35, while Kyunghyang Shinmun and Dong-A Ilbo said about 16:53. Both Newsis and Dong-A Ilbo said it took about 22 hours from the report to find the car. [ 4 , 5 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]
A coast guard official said it was checking the man's identity and whether there had been other passengers. The coast guard towed the car by boat closer to the jetty so it would not drift further and plans to lift it at ebb tide. Dong-A Ilbo reported that the coast guard will hand the body to the family once the identity is confirmed and is investigating how the accident happened. [ 5 , 8 , 9 ]
Why it matters
The documents give no basis for wider significance beyond the death. The coast guard says it is still investigating the cause of the accident and whether there were other occupants.
Key facts
- A car fell into the sea at the Maetdol port jetty in Sinpyeong-myeon, Dangjin, on the evening of 20 October after a nearby angler reported it. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 8 , 9 ]
- The coast guard searched through the night and resumed at 07:00 on 21 October; Newsis quoted an official saying poor weather made underwater visibility difficult. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Rescuers found the car about 22 hours after the report and recovered one body from the driver's seat. [ 5 , 8 , 9 ]
- The body was that of a male driver, according to Newsis and Dong-A Ilbo. [ 4 , 5 , 9 ]
- The coast guard moved the car by boat closer to the jetty so it would not drift further and plans to lift it at ebb tide. [ 5 , 9 ]
- A coast guard official said the coast guard is working to establish the man's identity and whether there were other passengers. [ 5 , 9 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- A car fell into the sea near the Maetdol port jetty in Dangjin on 20 October, and an angler reported it to the authorities. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 8 , 9 ]
- On 21 October the coast guard found the car and recovered one body from the driver's seat. [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]
- The body was a male driver. [ 4 , 5 , 9 ]
- The car is to be lifted at ebb tide after being towed by boat closer to the jetty. [ 5 , 9 ]
Still unclear
- Time the car was found Newsis gives about 16:35, while Kyunghyang Shinmun and Dong-A Ilbo give about 16:53.
- Time of the report Newsis gives 18:24, while Kyunghyang Shinmun and Dong-A Ilbo give about 18:25.
- Identity of the man and whether anyone else was in the car A coast guard official said both were still being checked.
- Cause and circumstances of the accident The coast guard said it is investigating; Newsis describes the car as falling while driving, but no cause is given.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Angler reports a car falling into the sea at the Maetdol port jetty on 20 October (Kyunghyang Shinmun and Dong-A Ilbo say about 18:25). [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 8 , 9 ]
- Coast guard pauses the search on 20 October. [ 3 ]
- Weather agency issues a wind and wave advisory for the central West Sea offshore waters on 21 October. [ 3 ]
- Search resumes on 21 October. [ 3 ]
- Rescuers find the car and recover a body from the driver's seat (Newsis says about 16:35). [ 5 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]