Freon leak on Russian fishing vessel in Busan leaves two crew in cardiac arrest

At 8:37 a.m. on Tuesday, police and firefighting units were alerted to a Freon gas leak on a Russian fishing boat moored in Busan, South Korea. The 769-ton vessel, carrying 15 crew members, experienced a leak that resulted in two crew members suffering cardiac arrest and two additional injuries. Emergency responders sent roughly 40 personnel to the scene to assess the vessel and surrounding area for further damage.

Freon, widely used in refrigeration, is low-toxicity but can lead to asphyxiation when inhaled in enclosed spaces. The incident highlights the risks of handling refrigerants on maritime vessels. Authorities have opened an investigation to pinpoint the exact cause of the leak.