“A drone was used to urgently deliver medication to tourists stranded on an island due to strong winds and high waves, successfully addressing an emergency situation.

According to the Jeju Island Fire and Safety Headquarters on the 14th, a report was received at around 12:07 a.m. the previous day (July 13) that a woman in her 60s, identified as Ms. A, was experiencing low energy levels on Gapado Island in Daejeong-eup, Seogwipo City.

Ms. A had entered Gapado Island five days prior and was stranded due to strong winds and high waves. Suffering from chronic conditions including diabetes, she showed symptoms of decreased energy after running out of medication. After receiving the report, fire authorities dispatched a specialized medical firefighting team to the scene and provided emergency treatment, but the situation required immediate medication. However, strong gusts of up to approximately 10 meters per second at the time prevented the deployment of a doctor helicopter or Coast Guard vessels.

In response, the fire authorities secured diabetes medication and, with cooperation from the Jeju Space Mobility Division, decided to use a drone for delivery.

The drone departed from the Seogwipo City Daejeong-eup Sangmori Drone Delivery Center at around 4:55 p.m. and successfully delivered the medication to Gapado Island in about 10 minutes.”

From The Chosun Daily.