Fire on Foreign Fishing Vessel at Busan Gamcheon Port Shipyard... Major Flames Controlled After 12 Hours

One Firefighter Slightly Injured, 40 Crew Members Evacuated... One Crew Member (Russian Nationality) Confirmed COVID-19 Positive at End of July

On the afternoon of the 21st, a fire of unknown cause broke out on the Kairos, a 499-ton vessel registered in Tuvalu, which was docked at a shipyard in Gamcheon Port, Gupyeong-dong, Saha-gu, Busan. A fireboat is conducting firefighting operations. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] A fire broke out on a foreign distant-water fishing vessel undergoing repairs at a shipyard in Gamcheon Port, Busan, and the large flames were brought under control 12 hours later on the morning of the 22nd.

At around 9:05 p.m. on the 21st, a fire of unknown cause broke out on the Tuvalu-flagged distant-water fishing vessel Kairos (499t), which was docked at a shipyard in Gupyeong-dong, Saha-gu, Busan, Gamcheon Port.

The fire authorities issued a Level 1 response, and as of 9 a.m. on the 22nd, 12 hours after the fire started, they have brought the large flames under control and are extinguishing the remaining embers. During the firefighting process, one firefighter sustained minor burns.

Fourteen Russian crew members on the ship evacuated on their own, and 26 were rescued by the dispatched 119 rescue team. In early last month, one Russian crew member on this vessel was diagnosed with COVID-19 and received hospital treatment in Busan. Subsequently, on the 28th of last month, all 40 Russian crew members on the ship tested negative for COVID-19 after undergoing diagnostic tests.

The police and fire authorities believe the fire started in the fish hold inside the ship and are investigating the exact cause of the fire.

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