Lifestyle /
South Korean Ferry ‘The Sewol’ Sinks
On April 16, a ferry in South Korea called The Sewol sunk. The majority of passengers on board were Danwon High school students attending a field trip to Jeju; a resort island located in South Korea.
The confirmed death toll so far has been 50 people with more than 250 still missing and a total of 175 survivors. Rescue efforts have proven futile due to harsh weather conditions causing strong currents and bad visibility. Many of the missing passengers are believed to be trapped inside of the ferry.
Survivor Kim Seong-mok told YTN that the ferry operator made an announcement asking passengers to stay put, he never heard any announcement telling passengers to escape.
Texts messages from the students on the Sewol ferry have been shared with various news outlets. One of the text messages shared by Los Angeles Times was between a passenger and his mother. He wrote, “Mom, this might be my last chance to tell you I love you.”
Coast guard official Kim jin-cheoi confirmed the tragic news that “Thirteen bodies have been found in the ship, while other bodies were found floating outside.”
23 students were among the dead. Due to feelings of guilt, the vice-principal of Danwon High hung himself outside of a gymnasium in Jindo where relatives of the missing passengers have gathered to receive news of their loved ones.
Mother Of Missing Passenger Writes "I Love You" While Waiting For News In Jindo/Image Source: torontosun.com
The ferry’s captain, Lee Joon-seok, was arrested with Sewol’s three helmsmen and third mate according to prosecutors as Lee had reportedly waited 30 minutes before ordering an evacuation of the ferry.
He justified his decision by stating, “At the time, the current was very strong, the temperature of the ocean water was cold, and I thought that if people left the ferry without (proper) judgment, if they were not wearing a life jacket, and even if they were, they would drift away and face many other difficulties. The rescue boats had not arrived yet, nor were there any civilian fishing ships or other boats nearby at that time.”
To top it off it seems as though Lee had also abandoned his ship as he was among the first people to reach the shore by rescue boat. The captain has almost 40 years of experience at sea and faces five charges including violation of maritime law and negligence of duty.
Captain of The Sewol, Lee Joon-seok/Image Source: cbc.ca
Senior prosecutor Yang Jung-jin told reporters that the third mate had ordered a turn so sharp which caused the vessel to list, as it passed an area with islands clustered close together with fast ocean currents. Yang also said that the two crew members arrested had failed to reduce the speed near the islands and to carry out the necessary measures to save lives.
According to CBC, three vessels with cranes arrived at the accident site in order to salvage the ferry, but they are unable to hoist the ship without the approval of family members who believed their loved ones are still inside of the ferry. The act of ‘lifting’ the Sewol could endanger the survivors according to a coast guard officer.
Featured image: torontosun
COMMENTS
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
-
How To Host The Perfect South Asian Holiday Dinner
-
ANOKHI's Holiday Gift Guide For Thoughtful Desi Presents For The Home & Beyond
-
Not Into Flu Shots? Try These Centuries-Old Desi Home Remedies Instead!
-
Diwali Gift Guide: Barbie® Diwali Doll & 8 More Unique South Asian Gift Ideas
-
From Turkey To Tadka: Desi-Inspired Thanksgiving Recipes
-
Mommy's Time-Out: How To Reclaim Your Zen After The Back-to-School Scramble
-
Khichdi Cups & 5 South Asian School Lunch Recipes For Busy Desi Parents
-
6 Complaints Desi Grandparents Have About Keeping Pets & How You Can Counter Them
-
Raksha Bandhan Gift Guide: Celebrate The Festival With A Modern Twist!
-
Summer Elixirs: Healthy South Asian Cooling Drink Recipes To Beat The Heat
-
Stay Cool: Build a Summer Garden Oasis At Home With Tulsi & Shade
-
Celebrating International Yoga Day: Find Your Balance Through Chakra Meditation
-
Spice Up Your Summer BBQ With These 5 Mouthwatering South Asian Recipes
-
South Asian Heritage Month: Journey Through Time With 8 Iconic South Asian Travel Destinations
-
How To Add Ancient South Asian Spiritual Cleansing Rituals To Modern Spring Cleaning Techniques
-
Toronto's Living Luxe Design Show Sets a New Standard for Luxury Exhibitions
-
Savouring South Asian Style: Elevate Your Home Decor with Cultural Flair
-
6 Ways To Create Fun Quality Time With Your Kids & Parents That Both Will Love!
-
Celebrating South Asian Literature: Must-Read Books by Female Authors
-
Flavourful Festivities: Traditional Holi Recipes To Spice Up Your Table
-
The Living Luxe Design Show Presented By JennAir Announces Powerhouse Program Of Speakers
-
7 Ways Yoga Will Save Your Mental Health
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Can I Convince My Friend That Her Threatening Boyfriend Is The Problem, Not Me?
-
10 Tips To Manage & Survive Long-Distance Relationships
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I'm Afraid My Childhood Bully Will Be Back In My Life, What Do I Do?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Create "Me Time" In My Demanding Life?
-
Hot Spot Alert: Mishree Cocktails & Cuisine Exhilarates With South Asian X Middle Eastern Cuisine
-
BioAro Founder Dr. Anmol Kapoor Wants You To Be The CEO Of Your Health
-
Savour the Holidays With This Paneer Pakora Recipe By KFI Sauces!
-
Here's How To Craft And Achieve Meaningful New Year's Resolutions
-
Snack It Up This Holiday Season with Indian-Inspired Potato Wedges by KFI Sauces
-
Butter Chicken Nachos Recipe By KFI Sauces Is Perfect For Your Holiday Spread
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Friend She's Taking My Emotional Support For Granted?
-
Anjali Pathak of Patak's Shares Her Favourite Recipes For The Holiday Season
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Why Does Our Family Get Togethers Always End With A Fight?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Sis-In-Law To Stop Intruding In My Daughter's Wedding Plans?
-
Event Alert: The Auric Living Conference Brings Holistic Healing To Toronto
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I'm On The Outs With My Friend Because I Supported Her Breakup What Do I Do?
-
Event Alert: The Desai Foundation Rings In 10th Anniversary of "Diwali On The Hudson" Gala
-
South Asians & Arthritis: Busting Myths And Sharing Facts About This Disease In Our Community
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Convince My Kids That My Granddaughter's Best Friend Is A Bully?
-
Make Your Brunch Brilliant With This French Buckwheat Crepes & Dosas Recipe!
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Sis-In-Law That Her Messy Dog Is Not Welcome At My House?
-
You Just Need A Hot Pot To Make This Amazing Masala Style Vegan Tomato Soup
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Friend To Stop Interrupting Me?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Trust My Husband After He Cheated On Me?
-
Check Out This Insane Recipe For Mini Masala Idli
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Brother That His Cottage Rules Ruins All The Fun?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: What Do I Do When My Fiancé Shares His Dog With His Ex?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Convince My Partner That Our Six-Year-Old Is To Young For Sleepovers?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Deal With My Friend Who Always Wants To Start A Fight?
-
Here's Why Paris Calls Tharshan Selvarajah The Best Baguette Baker In The City
