"Try Spraying Water If You Can": Bukang-i Dodges Every Move...Rescue Operation Halted

Related Authorities Halt Rescue Operation After Five Hours

'Plan B' Net Rescue Scheduled for October 2

Authorities have been attempting to remove the shark "Bukang-i," which has been roaming in the canal at Bukhang Waterfront Park in Dong-gu, Busan, for over 10 days, but it has been reported that the first attempt ended in failure.

On the 29th, at Bukhang Waterfront Park in Buk-gu, Busan, the Busan Coast Guard and Busan Fire and Disaster Headquarters' rescue boats and rubber boats sprayed water jets to drive the shark (Bukangi) out of the canal. As of 1 p.m. that day, the shark had not yet left the canal. Yonhap News

According to Yonhap News on September 29, related agencies, including the Busan Coast Guard, dispatched boats and water pumps into the canal at the waterfront park in an effort to drive Bukang-i out of the canal.

The Bukang-i rescue operation involved five vessels: a 4.6-ton-class police patrol dinghy, a 3-ton-class rescue boat, and three fire department rescue boats. The plan was to use water pumps installed on these vessels to spray streams of water and drive Bukang-i out of the canal. In addition, two Coast Guard rescue boats and the Central Maritime Special Rescue Unit were stationed outside the canal as a precautionary measure.

On the 29th, at Bukhang Waterfront Park in Buk-gu, Busan, the Busan Coast Guard, Busan Fire and Disaster Headquarters' rescue boat, and rubber boats were spraying water jets to drive the shark (Bukang-i) out of the waterway. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Starting at 10 a.m. that day, police and fire authorities identified Bukang-i’s location and slowly sprayed water streams from inside the canal toward the outside. However, Bukang-i did not leave. The shark stuck close to the canal wall in an area that boats could not easily reach, swimming quickly behind the vessels to avoid the water jets. Authorities repeatedly tried to steer their boats inside the canal to drive Bukang-i out, but the shark ultimately refused to move.

After about five hours, the Coast Guard and fire authorities halted the operation at around 3:20 p.m. The authorities plan to implement “Plan B,” which was prepared in case the water pump rescue failed. This alternative involves herding Bukang-i out of the canal with a net, but since making the net and preparing takes time, the rescue attempt has reportedly been postponed to October 2.

Meanwhile, the waterfront park was crowded with citizens who came to watch the rescue operation. Gathering around the canal, they cheered for Bukang-i’s safe return to the sea.

On the 29th, at Bukhang Waterfront Park in Buk-gu, Busan, the Busan Coast Guard and Busan Fire and Disaster Headquarters' rescue boats and rubber boats were spraying water streams to drive the shark (Bukang-i) out of the waterway. Meanwhile, the Bukang-i was avoiding the rescue operation and moved again by attaching itself to the wall. As of 1 p.m. on the same day, the shark had not yet left the waterway. Yonhap News

Bukang-i was first spotted in the artificial canal at the waterfront park on September 18. Since then, with many citizens coming to see the shark, the park has gained popularity as a tourist attraction.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.