Jeju Udo Ferry Terminal Accident
- Seoyeon Kim
- Dec 1, 2025
- 2 min read
Dec 1, 2025
Seoyeon Kim
A serious traffic accident occurred on Udo Island, Jeju, when a passenger van suddenly sped forward right after coming off the Udo–Seongsan Ferry. Instead of slowing down near the Udo Ferry Terminal, the vehicle continued to accelerate and drove straight into a large crowd of tourists waiting on the dock.
According to local authorities, three people lost their lives, and ten others suffered injuries ranging from minor wounds to severe trauma. Emergency responders, including Jeju Fire and Rescue, Udo Coast Guard, and local medical teams, arrived quickly at the scene and transported the injured victims to nearby hospitals on Jeju Island.
Witnesses stated that the van appeared to lose control immediately after disembarking. Some people reported that the driver seemed unable to stop the vehicle as it rolled down the short slope leading from the ferry ramp to the terminal area. The crowd, which included families and travelers waiting to board the next ferry, had little time to react.
Officials are currently investigating the exact cause of the crash, including possible brake failure, driver error, or mechanical malfunction. The police have also requested footage from CCTV cameras around the terminal and from passengers on the ferry to better understand how the accident occurred.
The Jeju Special Self-Governing Province expressed deep condolences to the victims and announced plans to review safety guidelines for vehicles disembarking from ferries. This includes considering stricter speed-control measures, clearer traffic signs, and more staff to manage crowds during peak tourist hours.
The tragic accident has raised strong concerns about transportation safety on popular tourist islands like Udo, where narrow roads and busy terminals can easily become hazardous without proper management. Local residents and visitors have called for urgent improvements to prevent similar incidents in the future.
