Deaths mount as people collect freshwater snails in shallow streams

A series of fatal accidents involving people foraging for daseulgi — small freshwater snails commonly gathered for food — has led authorities to step up safety measures at streams and valleys across Korea.

An older man fell into the water while collecting daseulgi in a valley in Buk-myeon, Cheonan, South Chungcheong, at 5:13 p.m. on Aug. 3. Emergency responders transported him to a hospital in an unresponsive state, where he was declared dead.

Another older man was found unresponsive after falling in Bonghwang Stream in Nami-myeon, Geumsan County, South Chungcheong, while foraging the snails on July 30, and also died.

Fatal accidents while picking daseulgi have occurred repeatedly in rivers and streams across the country.

People usually forage daseulgi for both food and recreation. Daseulgi is commonly found in streams and rivers, and used in soups and other dishes. Although it is often gathered in relatively shallow, slow-moving water less than 1 meter (3.3 feet) deep, slippery riverbeds can make it difficult for people, particularly older adults, to regain their footing after a fall.

A total of 32 people died nationwide while picking daseulgi between June and August over the past three years, according to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the National Fire Agency on Friday.

North Chungcheong recorded the highest number of deaths at five. Half of all deaths occurred in August, while 81 percent of the victims were aged 65 or older and 69 percent were visitors from outside the area.

"Many accidents occur when people who are unfamiliar with the stream enter the water without understanding the conditions," local residents said.

In South Chungcheong, 13 accidents related to daseulgi foraging were reported over the past five years, leaving four people dead. The average age of those who died was 62.3. Most accidents occurred from June through August and between noon and 6 p.m.

Following the July 30 death in Geumsan County, South Chungcheong authorities deployed safety personnel, drones and AI-powered CCTV systems to strengthen safety monitoring.

Smart CCTV cameras were initially installed at 13 locations around the Geumgang where water-related accidents frequently occur. The provincial government is also piloting administrative orders requiring life jackets and restricting entry into the water in designated high-risk areas.

"Preventing casualties depends above all on residents following safety rules themselves," said Hong Jong-wan, the vice governor for administrative affairs of South Chungcheong. "We ask people to refrain from entering the water outside designated swimming areas, including daseulgi collection zones, and to cooperate with safety personnel at the scene."

The Chungcheongnam-do Fire Headquarters has also conducted joint rescue drills with police, other agencies and civic groups.

It plans to conduct unannounced safety inspections through the end of August at 23 managed locations along rivers and valleys and 13 designated high-risk areas. Preventive patrols have also been strengthened at popular daseulgi collection sites with help from volunteer firefighters familiar with local conditions, while signs providing information on water depth and current speed have been installed.

Authorities also plan to operate stations and self-service stands offering life jacket borrowing.

"People can easily let their guard down when collecting daseulgi because the surroundings may seem familiar, but sudden changes in currents or abrupt drops in water depth can lead to serious accidents," said Baek Seung-du, head of the Chungcheongnam-do Fire Headquarters. "People should collect them in groups of at least two and always wear a life jacket."

BY SHIN JIN-HO [shin.woojin@joongang.co.kr]