Search for ferry victims ends

Divers move equipment as they leave Jindo, South Jeolla Province, after the government’s announcement of an end to underwater searches for victims of the Sewol ferry disaster, Tuesday. / Yonhap

Salvage work estimated to take 1 year

By Jung Min-ho

The Korean government called off Tuesday the underwater search for the bodies of nine people still missing from the Sewol ferry disaster that claimed 304 lives.

The announcement came after the government and the missing victims’ families agreed that continuing the search was meaningless after a 209-day operation; and the approach of winter would make it increasingly more dangerous for divers to continue their search of the wreck.

“I announce the end of the underwater search as of today,” Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Lee Ju-young told reporters. “As the prolonged search continues, the likelihood of finding the missing people has become slim and the rescuers are increasingly expressing their safety concerns.”

After discussions with the victims’ families and experts, the government will decide how to proceed with a salvage operation, which officials estimate will take about a year and cost 100 billion won ($91 million).

The 6,825-ton passenger ferry capsized on April 16 near the southwestern port of Jindo while heading to the resort island Jeju from Incheon. Of the 304 deaths in the nation’s worst peacetime disaster in recent memory, most were high school students.

“It is difficult to measure the precise cost for the operation because the means have not been decided on yet. But I expect the cost will be about 100 billion won,” a ministry official said. “The operation of lifting the ship from 40 meters underwater will be unprecedented in Korea.”

The families are concerned how lifting the ship might impact the remains of any bodies still inside, or if remains might be lost during the process.

“I am deeply sorry for falling short of my promise to find every missing person,” Lee said. “I’m responsible for failing to find the nine people.”

Two civilian divers died during the search. The last body was found on Oct. 28.

“The victims’ families made the tough decision and asked them to stop,” Lee said. “I would like to offer homage to their heartbreaking, brave decision.”

The ferry sinking sparked a nationwide uproar over the government’s inability to respond to disasters.

Experts said that the government’s poor initial response to the incident contributed to the high death toll.

Meanwhile, protesters have taken to the streets, pushing the government to create a reliable disaster control center.

Last week, ending months of wrangling, rival political parties passed a package of bills to allow an independent investigation into who was responsible for the accident.

Prosecutors have said that the combination of cargo overloading, excessive remodeling of the ship and poor steering were to blame for the disaster.