Passenger ferry pulled off after running aground

The 26,000-ton ferry Queen Zenobia II is brought to a port in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province on Nov. 20, 2025 after running aground overnight. Yonhap

SEOUL, November 20 (AJP) - A passenger ferry that ran aground on an uninhabited islet off the southwestern coast overnight was brought to a nearby port early Thursday morning, about nine hours after the accident.

According to coastguards, the 26,000-ton ferry Queen Zenobia II, was pulled off by four tugboats at around 5:40 a.m. in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, after all 246 passengers and 21 crew members on board were safely rescued.

The vessel departed from the southern resort island of Jeju at 4:45 p.m. the previous day and ran aground near Sinan in the province at around 8:17 p.m., becoming stranded but sustaining no hull damage.

All passengers were safely rescued, though some complained minor injuries or stress and were taken to hospitals. No serious injuries were reported.

Coastguards suspect negligence by the captain or crew may have caused the accident and plan to investigate using CCTV footage and voyage data recorders. Ferry operator Seaworld said it has suspended all services until the investigation and safety inspections are completed.

Lee Hugh