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South Korea ferry 'steered by inexperienced third mate' | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The South Korean ferry that sank on Wednesday was steered by an inexperienced third mate who had never navigated the challenging waters where the accident occurred, prosecutors say. | |
The third mate is in custody along with the captain and another crew member. | |
Divers are battling strong currents in poor visibility to reach 269 missing passengers - 33 are confirmed dead. | |
Some 174 passengers have been rescued. Recovery operations may take two months, officials say. | |
The Sewol, carrying 476 passengers and crew, capsized during a journey from the port of Incheon in the north-west to the southern holiday island of Jeju. | |
Ferry captain Lee Joon-seok, 69 - who was not initially on the bridge - faces charges including negligence of duty and violation of maritime law. | |
Late on Saturday prosecutors said that the third mate had been steering the ferry in waters that were unfamiliar to her. | |
Asked how long the rescue operation was likely to continue, Shin Won-Nam, the head of the Emergency Management Centre, told reporters that it could take weeks, if not months. | Asked how long the rescue operation was likely to continue, Shin Won-Nam, the head of the Emergency Management Centre, told reporters that it could take weeks, if not months. |
"We are not sure about it. But according to the experts, the rescue may last one or two months," he said. | "We are not sure about it. But according to the experts, the rescue may last one or two months," he said. |
He added that it was very unlikely someone trapped alive after the sinking could survive if it took this long. | He added that it was very unlikely someone trapped alive after the sinking could survive if it took this long. |
Relatives have begun providing DNA samples to help identify the dead. | |
Investigations are focusing on a sharp turn the vessel took before it started listing and whether an evacuation order could have saved lives. | |
Footage from the ship appeared to show instructions from crew members for passengers to remain on board even as it tilted dramatically to one side. | |
Mr Lee says he delayed the evacuation, fearing passengers would "drift away". | |
He was shown on television on Saturday following his arrest. | |
"I am sorry to the people of South Korea for causing a disturbance and I bow my head in apology to the families of the victims," he said. | "I am sorry to the people of South Korea for causing a disturbance and I bow my head in apology to the families of the victims," he said. |
Some experts believe the ship's tight turn could have dislodged heavy cargo and destabilised the vessel, while others suggest the sinking could have been caused by a collision with a rock. | Some experts believe the ship's tight turn could have dislodged heavy cargo and destabilised the vessel, while others suggest the sinking could have been caused by a collision with a rock. |
Messages and phone calls from those inside painted a picture of people trapped in crowded corridors, unable to escape the sharply-listing ferry. | Messages and phone calls from those inside painted a picture of people trapped in crowded corridors, unable to escape the sharply-listing ferry. |
Officials say air has been pumped into the ship to aid any people trapped inside and to help refloat the vessel. | Officials say air has been pumped into the ship to aid any people trapped inside and to help refloat the vessel. |
But they say cranes at the site will not be used until they are certain no-one inside is alive. | But they say cranes at the site will not be used until they are certain no-one inside is alive. |
Nets around ferry | Nets around ferry |
The South Korean coastguard said on Saturday that a civilian diver had seen three bodies through a window in the fourth floor of the ship. | The South Korean coastguard said on Saturday that a civilian diver had seen three bodies through a window in the fourth floor of the ship. |
They have described dangerous conditions around the vessel, with fast currents, poor visibility and high waves hampering the operation. | |
The diver was not able to retrieve the bodies because of floating objects and time restrictions on diving, the coastguard said. | The diver was not able to retrieve the bodies because of floating objects and time restrictions on diving, the coastguard said. |
But several other bodies found in the water near the wreck were recovered, bringing the number of confirmed dead to 33. | But several other bodies found in the water near the wreck were recovered, bringing the number of confirmed dead to 33. |
Choi Sang-hwan, deputy director of the national coastguard, said nets would be placed around the sunken ferry to prevent any bodies drifting away. | Choi Sang-hwan, deputy director of the national coastguard, said nets would be placed around the sunken ferry to prevent any bodies drifting away. |
Some 350 of those on board were students from Danwon High School in Ansan, a suburb of Seoul, who were on a school outing when the ferry sank. | Some 350 of those on board were students from Danwon High School in Ansan, a suburb of Seoul, who were on a school outing when the ferry sank. |
Hundreds of relatives of those on board have been camping at a gymnasium on Jindo island near the scene of the disaster. | Hundreds of relatives of those on board have been camping at a gymnasium on Jindo island near the scene of the disaster. |
Are you in the area? Do you have any information you would like to share? Please send us your comments. You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line 'South Korea ferry'. | Are you in the area? Do you have any information you would like to share? Please send us your comments. You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line 'South Korea ferry'. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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