Indonesian leader says locked gates contributed to deaths in ferry sinking
A grieving family and grieving survivors of the sinking of the ferry Sewol in South Korea say they have lost more than they have yet to lose in the sinking.
The family said they had not yet been able to grieve for those lost when they had. It was just the four of them who boarded the ferry in the northern city of Incheon, and they were the only ones who survived. They had been on the ferry for only one week.
South Korea’s president has called for a national service to honor those who died in the ferry disaster.
The sinking of a South Korean ferry in April drew an outpouring of sorrow from around the world. (AP)
The sinking of a South Korean ferry in April drew an outpouring of sorrow from around the world.
The ship, the Sewol, sank and sank and sank, and the captain and those on board were presumed dead until the search for survivors was completed.
“I only prayed five times on our way, and I was praying to God to make sure of my survival. I thought, ‘Why does this make me feel any better?'” said Lim Soo-Hyun, who was aboard the ferry with his wife and two children.
Lim and his family were found and recovered by helicopter. Only one lifeguard was able to get onto the sinking ship and he was able to save the lives of about two dozen people by grabbing them, said Lim.
Lim Soo-Hyun, a teacher, said he didn’t know he was about to lose his family members.
“I’m a very religious person. Even as a child, I was very much of the church and religion. And I thought it was all based on God’s will. And if that will was to save them, then I will be with them. So I said, ‘Let’s go’.”
Ferry rescue
The South Korean National Search and Rescue Center said a team of nine divers had to be brought in to search for survivors. Those who were pulled out were pulled out from the water via a helicopter.
In the days that followed
