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Photo = Yonhap news |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] HanaTour, a major South Korean travel agency that brands itself as the country’s No.1, is under fire for distancing itself from legal responsibility after a traveler died from a suspected case of salmonella infection following a Vietnam tour sold by one of its official agents.
According to the travel industry and the bereaved family on July 1, a woman in her 70s—widow of a Vietnam War veteran—died of septicemia suspected to be caused by salmonella infection shortly after returning from a "Vietnam War Memorial Tour" between May 12 and 17.
The woman, identified as Ms. A, booked the trip through an official HanaTour agent and only consumed food provided by the tour during her stay in Vietnam. She began to suffer from severe stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea on her return flight and had to use a wheelchair upon arrival at Incheon Airport. Despite visiting the emergency room, she passed away soon after.
The death certificate from Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital and test results from Seocho Public Health Center confirmed salmonella infection as the likely cause of death. Authorities pointed to contaminated food consumed during the trip as the probable source.
The family is devastated, especially given that Ms. A was reportedly healthy and actively running a tailoring shop prior to the trip. They accuse HanaTour of serious negligence, including:
Failing to assess and monitor the hygiene conditions of local restaurants in advance
Not providing adequate safety and sanitation measures
Failing to disclose potential health risks to travelers
They argue that in tropical climates like Vietnam—where foodborne illnesses such as salmonella are more prevalent—travelers have limited means to verify or avoid health risks on their own.
HanaTour has reportedly stated that the tour was not its direct product, distancing itself from responsibility—an action that has triggered public backlash and raised concerns about safety standards and accountability in overseas group tours.
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
