Sewol-ho ferry reveals full-shape for the first time since 2014
- 6 years ago
The operation to set upright the wreck of the Sewol-ho ferry that capsized in waters off Korea's southwestern coast more than four years ago has been taking place this morning... paving the way for new findings that could help the ongoing investigation into the disaster.
We connect to our Kim Mok-yeon who has been at the scene since this morning.
Mok-yeon, it's been around three hours now,... how is the operation going?
Yes, Mark. I'm here at Mokpo New Port, and just a few minutes ago, the lifting operations finally came to an end, and now we are able to see the full-shape of the ferry for the first time since it capsized in 2014.
The Sewol-ho Investigation Committee started the process at 9 a.m.... pulling 64 wires through the ten-thousand ton floating crane that's connected to a total of 66 steel beams installed on both sides of the ferry.
The vessel had been gradually pulled upright in six stages by tilting the body of the ferry by 35 degrees from the ground, to 50 degrees, and finally to 90 degrees.
We’ve also seen some rusty particles and liquid falling from the vessel during the final stages of the operation.
So what happens next? And why is this turning operation so significant?
Well, Mark... now that the Sewol-ho has been lifted to an upright position, the committee says it will install a pathway that can allow access to the ship's interior, so they can start removing any hazardous elements that may still be inside the hull.
After that, investigators will officially begin their search for the bodies of the five victims still unaccounted for... all these years later. They will also look for new clues that could unlock fresh evidence about what caused the disaster.
Family members are also hoping to find the belongings of their loved ones that could still be inside the vessel.
But, investigators say official search operations are unlikely to start for the next few weeks as the process of safely securing the ferry, including removing the support beams,... won't be finished until June 10th.
Back to you, Mark.
We connect to our Kim Mok-yeon who has been at the scene since this morning.
Mok-yeon, it's been around three hours now,... how is the operation going?
Yes, Mark. I'm here at Mokpo New Port, and just a few minutes ago, the lifting operations finally came to an end, and now we are able to see the full-shape of the ferry for the first time since it capsized in 2014.
The Sewol-ho Investigation Committee started the process at 9 a.m.... pulling 64 wires through the ten-thousand ton floating crane that's connected to a total of 66 steel beams installed on both sides of the ferry.
The vessel had been gradually pulled upright in six stages by tilting the body of the ferry by 35 degrees from the ground, to 50 degrees, and finally to 90 degrees.
We’ve also seen some rusty particles and liquid falling from the vessel during the final stages of the operation.
So what happens next? And why is this turning operation so significant?
Well, Mark... now that the Sewol-ho has been lifted to an upright position, the committee says it will install a pathway that can allow access to the ship's interior, so they can start removing any hazardous elements that may still be inside the hull.
After that, investigators will officially begin their search for the bodies of the five victims still unaccounted for... all these years later. They will also look for new clues that could unlock fresh evidence about what caused the disaster.
Family members are also hoping to find the belongings of their loved ones that could still be inside the vessel.
But, investigators say official search operations are unlikely to start for the next few weeks as the process of safely securing the ferry, including removing the support beams,... won't be finished until June 10th.
Back to you, Mark.