South Korea ferry sinking

Several people have been confirmed dead and almost 300 people are still missing after a ferry capsized off South Korea’s southern coast this morning.

South Korea’s ministry of security and public administration announced that the 6,325dwt Sewol, which was carrying 459 passengers and crew, capsized around 1100hrs off Jindo Island in South Jeolla province.

A female crew member and a male high school student were killed in the tragedy while 164 others were rescued.

The ministry announced that Sewol, operated by Chonghaejin Marine, departed Incheon yesterday at 2100hrs and was scheduled to arrive in Jeju Island, a popular resort island.

The ministry said that 325 of the passengers were Danwon High School students who were on a school trip to Jeju Island. Fifteen teachers were with the students.

The Danwon High School is located in Gyeonggi Province. Also, 30 crew members and 89 general passengers were in the ferry. Among the general passengers were two Philippine women singers who were there to perform on board.

The Sewol sent off an SOS at 08:58 on 16 April. After two hours of the SOS request, the ferry capsized. After the SOS was sent, Coast Guard, the Navy, and the Air Force dispatched fishing boats, patrol boats, helicopters, and airplanes to rescue the passengers.

The rescue work has not been smooth because the speed of a moving fluid is so fast. The depth of water at the accident spot is 37m. The cause of the accident was unknown.

Survivors said they felt an impact on the front side of the ferry when the accident occurred.

Survivors assumed that the impact was from a rock. South Korean media reports said the original captain of Sewol has been on leave and another captain covered his duties at the time of the accident.

The country’s army has been searching the inside of the ferry from 17:00hrs South Korea time.

Source: ihsmaritime.com