Bukangi Still in Busan Canal After Second Rescue Attempt Stalls

Bukangi remained inside the canal at Busan’s North Port Waterfront Park on Friday evening, October 2, after a second attempt to guide the shark into the sea stopped when a large net caught on the bottom. Crews brought it closer to the exit and secured the net before withdrawing, according to Newsis and The Korea Times.

Why crews stopped

The net was intended to guide the shark along the canal rather than lift it out of the water. The Korea Times reports that a boat towed the middle while ten people, five at each side, controlled its movement. The specially made barrier measured 50 meters long and 6.8 meters high.

Newsis reports that the shark began lingering beside the net instead of continuing toward the sea. The weighted bottom then caught on rocks. Crews stopped at about 5:40 p.m. local time and fixed the net to the railing; pulling harder risked tearing it.

The remaining distance is unclear. Newsis puts the net about 70 meters from the canal entrance, while ChosunBiz’s evening report says about 150 meters. The Korea Times measures the shark’s position relative to the sixth footbridge instead. The reports therefore do not establish a single reliable distance to open sea.

What happens next

ChosunBiz reports that authorities will watch for a voluntary departure during the October 3 to 5 holiday, with passage across the sixth footbridge restricted and patrols increased. Separately, Newsis quotes a Busan official saying the net could remain fixed through the end of October while the shark is monitored.

How the rescue reached this point

The shark was first spotted on September 18. A September 29 attempt using boats and water jets failed after it repeatedly avoided the vessels, as the Associated Press reported.

Public interest has continued: News1’s October 2 evening headline reports 35,000 park visitors that day and a cumulative total above 740,000.

How we reported this: Buddylio compared the listed reports on the October 2 evening outcome. Busan’s standalone announcement was inaccessible. Distance estimates differ; no later departure has been independently confirmed.