Busan sightseeing boat suffers engine failure off Gamji Beach; 45 aboard, two hospitalized.

A sightseeing boat stopped in the waters off Gamji Beach in Busan's Yeongdo District after its engine failed, leaving 45 passengers on board. Two passengers complained of pain and were taken to a hospital, while the others were reported to be in stable condition.

According to the Busan Coast Guard, the incident occurred at 3:51 p.m. on the 14th. The vessel, identified as A, a 29-ton sightseeing boat, could not move because its hull was pressed against the shoreline.

Rescue crews evacuated passengers on site. Seventeen people disembarked using the forward ladder to reach land, while the remaining passengers were transferred to another vessel and brought to the beach pier.

Two passengers who reported pain were transported to a hospital for medical assessment. The rest of the passengers reportedly did not have any significant injuries.

The Coast Guard is investigating the exact sequence of events leading to the engine failure and the vessel’s inability to move, to determine any contributing factors.

Busan is South Korea’s largest port city and a major hub for shipping, fishing, and maritime tourism. Gamji Beach is a popular coastal area in the city, and this incident underscores the safety protocols in place for small passenger vessels operating in busy maritime zones.

For U.S. readers, the episode highlights the importance of robust safety and emergency-response frameworks for coastal tourism and small passenger crafts. In the United States, the Coast Guard and local authorities similarly oversee vessel safety, evacuation procedures, and medical readiness to protect travelers in crowded or busy harbor areas, with potential implications for cross-border tourism, supply chains, and maritime policy discussions.