Two Divers Missing off Munseom Island in Seogwipo, Jeju, Rescued off Beomseom Island 4 km Away

【Financial News, Jeju—Jung Yong-bok】 Two men who became separated from their group while scuba diving off Munseom Island in Seogwipo, Jeju, were rescued one after another in waters near Beomseom Island, about 4 km away. Both were found conscious and alert, but one was taken to a hospital after complaining of hypothermia symptoms.
According to Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters and Seogwipo Coast Guard Station, a report was received at around 11 a.m. on the 17th that two men who had been scuba diving near Munseom Island in Seogwi-dong, Seogwipo City, could not be seen.
The two are believed to have entered the water near Munseom Island with their group and then become separated.
After receiving the report, the Coast Guard and fire authorities launched a joint search centered on Munseom Island and the surrounding waters. They searched at sea, checked the coastline and deployed drones to expand the search from the air.
At 12:42 p.m., as the search continued, one diver was found first in waters near Beomseom Island, about 4 km from Munseom Island. About 20 minutes later, the other diver was also found and rescued near Beomseom Island.

Both men were conscious when rescued, and no major external injuries were found. However, one of them complained of hypothermia symptoms and was taken to a hospital by a 119 ambulance crew.
Munseom Island, where the incident occurred, is a major scuba-diving area off Seogwipo. Divers from across the country visit the area to see its diverse underwater ecosystem, including soft coral colonies and subtropical fish. The waters around Beomseom Island and Seopseom are also popular for underwater leisure activities.
It has not yet been determined how the two became separated from their group in this incident. Investigators are also examining how they moved from near Munseom Island to the area around Beomseom Island and whether underwater currents at the time contributed to their drifting.
The Coast Guard is questioning the rescued divers and their group members to determine the exact circumstances of the incident, including where and when they entered the water, how they became separated from the group and how they reached the locations where they were found.


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