The rescue for the South Korean ferry Sewol is finally coming underway with divers who are reported to have penetrated the dining areas of the third level of the ship. The maritime rescue teams have now started to pump air into the capsized vessel and have even brought cranes to salvage the hull.
So far it is believed that 28 lives have been lost along with 268 passengers and crew members still missing. 179 passengers are reported to have been rescued. Divers have tried multiple times to enter the hull but it was not until 10 am today (Korean local time) that they managed to enter the ship, and now that air is being pumped in to force the ship upwards out of the water, it is expected that the rescue will be progressing faster.
Besides the large crane, with the government planning to send 4 more, over 100 naval and police patrol boats, 60 civilian and fishing vessels, and over 500 rescue and diving personnel have been brought in to take part in the operation. Even the U.S. navy in Korean seas may send additional equipment and personnel to assist. The greatest obstacle as of now, however is the harsh weather conditions.
The incident has stirred up a great deal of controversy among the Koreans who heard the news of how and why the Sewol sank. It was reported that the ship was severely damaged after a sudden change of course. Despite the fact that he was aware of serious damage to his ship, the captain of the Sewol announced to his passengers to stay where they are while he left the bridge to safety. No one knows exactly where the captain was when the ship sank, but he is currently at the center of the controversy.
Most of the missing passengers are students from Danwon High School who were on their way to a school field trip with their teachers. When news of the incident reached their school and their families, the Korean citizens expressed outrage at the captain and the crew’s irresponsibility and the government’s inability to find the hundreds of still missing students.
The rescue operations are still underway with the parents of the missing students of Danwon High dire for news of their children.
