On January 10, 2012, the Jung Woo 2 fishing vessel had a fire breakout on board while in the Antarctic region. The fire started in the living quarters and 3 of the crew died on board. Initially, only 25 of the surviving crew were able to evacuate to a life boat due to the fire affecting the other life boat. The other 12 survivors had to wait for other vessels to come to their aid to evacuate. Within 3 hours the survivors were safely aboard other ships that came to their aid including the sister ship Jung Woo 3.
The 7 injured survivors were transferred to the Nataniel Palmer when it arrived to the area on January 11, 2012. The Nathaniel Palmer is a research vessel equipped with medical facilities. The injured were taken to the American McMurdo Base to be airlifted to New Zealand. Weather delayed the airlift slightly, but on January 13, 2012 the injured were successfully airlifted to Christchurch, New Zealand to receive medical care. Of the injured, 3 were labelled in serious condition and admitted to Christchurch Hospital. On January 23, 2012, one of the 3 was reported as released from the hospital while the other 2 are considered in stable condition.
Initially the Jung Woo 2 remained afloat, but it did eventually sink and a search for the 3 missing presumed dead on board continued.
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