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Thursday, 23 March 2017

Sewol disaster ferry raised in South Korea after three years

The side of the Sewol ferry is seen above the surface of the sea, between two salvage vessels in waters off Jindo island, South Korea. 23 March 2017.
The mud-caked hull of the ship was visible between two huge salvage vessels
A ferry has been raised from the sea bed, three years after it sank in one of South Korea's deadliest disasters.

The Sewol sank off the south-western island of Jindo on 16 April 2014 killing 304 people, almost all school children on a trip.
A handout photo released by the South Korean Maritime Ministry showing two barges bringing the sunken Sewol ferry back to surface, in the sea off Jindo island on 23 March 2017.
The complex operation is one of the largest ever attempted
It has been winched to the surface so a platform can be inserted under it for it to be towed ashore.
It is expected to arrive at port in less than two weeks, where it will be met by the families of victims.
A family member of a Sewol disaster victim cries during salvage operations in the sea off Jindo island, South Korea, 23 March 2017.
Relatives of the victims watched the salvage operation off the Jindo island
Salvage team workers stand on the hull of the Sewol ferry in waters near Jindo island, South Korea, 23 March 2017.
Hundreds of workers in a Chinese salvage team were involved in the raising
The bodies of nine victims are believed to still be trapped inside the sunken ship, and raising it was one of the central demands of their families.
The Sewol is seen sinking off Jindo island, South Korea, on 16 April 2014, in this picture provided by Korea Coast Guard and released by Yonhap.
Former President Park Geun-hye came under intense pressure over the sinking at the time

The government bowed to pressure to raise the 6,825 tonne vessel, one of the most complex operations ever attempted, said the the BBC's Stephen Evans on Jindo Island.

The 16-year-old daughter of Huh Hong-Hwan was one victim whose remains were never found. "To see the Sewol again, I can't describe how I'm feeling right now," Mr Huh told the AFP news agency as he watched the raising of the ship from a boat nearby.

The sinking was blamed on a combination of illegal redesigns, cargo overloading, the inexperience of the crew member steering the vessel, and lax government regulations. The ship's captain was later convicted of murder.

Anger over the response of the authorities after the disaster contributed to the unpopularity of former President Park Geun-hye, who was recently ousted. 
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