Sharks Spotted off Jeju Coast

Published on 2019/07/14 | Source

A shark swims in waters off Hamdeok Beach on Jeju Island on Monday. /Newsis

Sharks were reported in waters off Hamdeok Beach on Jeju Island on Monday. Beachgoers were evacuated and nobody was eaten.

According to the Jeju city government, a 119 emergency caller reported sightings of two objects that looked like sharks in waters off a skywalk bridge east of the beach around 12:30 p.m.

Life guards immediately announced the sightings over the public address system and banned beachgoers from going into the water. At the time, about 100 people were in the sea.

The sharks spent about 10 minutes circling off the coast before vanishing into the distance. The swimming ban was lifted around an hour and 15 minutes later.

According to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, shark attacks have occurred in the country on a total of seven occasions since 1959, killing six people and injuring one.