A 813-ton Russian deep-sea fishing vessel anchored at the mooring area of Nam-oehang, Yeongdo-gu, Busan, was the scene of a fatal altercation where two Russian crew members assaulted and caused the death of a fellow crew member. According to news reports, the Busan Coast Guard has arrested two Russian nationals, A (48) and B (30), on charges of involuntary manslaughter.
The incident occurred on the night of October 31, when the two suspects allegedly assaulted their fellow crew member, C (42), during a drinking session in their cabin. The following morning, on November 1, the Coast Guard launched an investigation upon receiving a report of a crew member found deceased. The investigation revealed facial bruises and injuries on the body of the deceased.
An autopsy requested by the Coast Guard concluded that the victim died due to strong external force, rather than from an accidental cause. Although A and B claimed that C had a habit of excessive drinking and negligence at work, causing his collapse and subsequent death, forensic and CCTV analysis disproved their statements. The Coast Guard eventually secured their confession.
The Coast Guard is continuing a thorough investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the incident. Lee Kyung-yeol, head of the investigation department at Busan Coast Guard, commented on the case, stating that a rapid deployment of a specialized investigation team from the initial stages was crucial in uncovering the group assault hidden as an accidental death. He emphasized the Coast Guard’s firm stance on dealing with serious crimes that threaten onboard order and lives, promising to pursue accountability relentlessly for crimes endangering both domestic and international crew members.