284 người mất tích khi một chiếc phà của Nam Hàn lật ngang và chìm giữa biển khơi

284 Missing After South Korean Ferry Sinks

from The Diplomat: 284 people are missing after a South Korean ferry headed to Jeju-do, off the southern tip of the Korean peninsula, sank. According to Yonhap News, four people are confirmed to have died. The accident occurred early Wednesday morning. The 6,325-ton ship was carrying a total of 462 people, including 325 high school students. Jeju is a popular tourist destination for South Koreans and foreigners alike, drawing upwards of 6 million visitors a year.

The ship sent out a distress signal at 8:58 a.m. So far, 174 passengers have been rescued according to South Korea officials. ”A total of 174 are confirmed to have survived as of 7:00 p.m., while we continue to aggregate the number of survivors through various channels,” a government source noted.

Currently, there are fears that those still missing might be trapped within the sunken ship, lowering their prospects for survival. A government official noted that low water temperatures, darkness, and fast currents would make the rescue effort difficult as well as worsen the situation considerably for any potential survivors. According to CNN, the water temperature in the area is roughly 10 to 13 degrees Celsius (50 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit).


***********

113 people dead and 189 others missing as of 4/22/2014. A total of 476 passengers were aboard the 6,825-ton ferry Sewol that capsized and sank off the southwest coast.

(4th LD) Arrest warrants issued for 4 crew members over sunken ferry