Five Russian Crew Injured in Refrigerant Leak Aboard Fishing Boat in Busan
Five Russian crew members were injured after refrigerant gas leaked inside a Russian fishing vessel docked in Busan. Two who had suffered cardiac arrest later recovered from that condition, while authorities opened an investigation into the cause.
Five Russian crew members were injured after refrigerant gas leaked aboard a fishing vessel docked in Busan on Tuesday, prompting a large emergency response and an investigation into whether equipment failure or human error caused the accident.
The leak occurred at 8:37 a.m. on a 769-ton Russian fishing boat carrying 15 crew members, according to the Busan Metropolitan City Fire Disaster Headquarters. The vessel was moored at a port in Busan, South Korea’s largest southeastern port city and a major hub for fishing and commercial shipping.
Emergency responders found the five injured crew members inside the vessel’s refrigerated cargo hold. The other 10 crew members were in their cabins when the incident happened. Two of the injured sailors had suffered cardiac arrest earlier in the response, but authorities later said they had recovered from that condition. Officials did not immediately provide further details about the five crew members’ treatment or their overall medical status.
A total of 40 police officers and firefighters were sent to the scene. They inspected the fishing boat and nearby areas to determine whether there were any additional casualties or damage. No further injuries were reported in the initial official account.
Authorities believe the gas may have escaped while crew members were carrying out work involving the vessel’s refrigeration system. Investigators are examining the precise sequence of events and have not reached a final conclusion. Possible factors under review include aging equipment and mistakes made during the work.
The leaked substance was identified as Freon, a term commonly used for refrigerant gases employed in cooling systems such as air conditioners, refrigerators and refrigerated cargo facilities. Although the gas has relatively low toxicity, a substantial leak in an enclosed area can create a severe danger by contributing to asphyxiation. The location of the injured sailors in the refrigerated hold therefore forms a central part of the inquiry.
The investigation is expected to focus on the condition of the refrigeration equipment, the work being performed at the time and the circumstances that allowed gas to accumulate inside the vessel. Authorities had not announced any finding of responsibility as of Tuesday afternoon.