Sewol-ho ferry reveals full-shape for the first time since 2014
- 6 years ago
4 years ago, a ferry capsized in waters off the nation's southwestern coast, taking hundreds of young lives with it.
Today, the tragic Sewol-ho which has been lying on its side... was set upright after a successful operation to lift and turn the vessel.
Kim Mok-yeon updates us... on the development that could help the ongoing investigation into the disaster.
(STANDUP)
“On Thursday, the Sewol-ho ferry was finally lifted upright, revealing the full-shape of the ferry for the first time since it capsized in 2014.”
“After going through a practice lift on Wednesday, today we were able to safely turn the ferry to its upright position, 100 days after we were first given the task.”
Leading the operation, local shipbuilder Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries started the lifting process at 9 a.m. on Thursday,... pulling 64 wires through a 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.
Hundreds of people flocked to the southern port, including bereaved families, members of the press and ordinary citizens.
“This kind of things should never happen again. I hope that through today’s achievement, we can finally uncover the truth behind what exactly caused the ferry to sink, and mend the hearts of the victims' families.”
Now that the Sewol-ho has been lifted to an upright position, the Sewol Investigation committee says it will install a pathway that can allow access to the ship's interior, so they can start removing hazardous elements.
After that, investigators will officially begin to search for any remains of 5 victims that are still unaccounted for, while recovering personal items they find in order to have them returned to their respective families.
“Today is a historic day for many of us, including myself. I hope that with the latest development, the remains of the five victims who are still missing are found soon. I also hope that nobody ever goes through a tragedy like this. I also hope that nobody in this country would suffer the same pain we went through.”
However, 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.
Kim Mok-yeon, Arirrang News, Mokpo.
Today, the tragic Sewol-ho which has been lying on its side... was set upright after a successful operation to lift and turn the vessel.
Kim Mok-yeon updates us... on the development that could help the ongoing investigation into the disaster.
(STANDUP)
“On Thursday, the Sewol-ho ferry was finally lifted upright, revealing the full-shape of the ferry for the first time since it capsized in 2014.”
“After going through a practice lift on Wednesday, today we were able to safely turn the ferry to its upright position, 100 days after we were first given the task.”
Leading the operation, local shipbuilder Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries started the lifting process at 9 a.m. on Thursday,... pulling 64 wires through a 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.
Hundreds of people flocked to the southern port, including bereaved families, members of the press and ordinary citizens.
“This kind of things should never happen again. I hope that through today’s achievement, we can finally uncover the truth behind what exactly caused the ferry to sink, and mend the hearts of the victims' families.”
Now that the Sewol-ho has been lifted to an upright position, the Sewol Investigation committee says it will install a pathway that can allow access to the ship's interior, so they can start removing hazardous elements.
After that, investigators will officially begin to search for any remains of 5 victims that are still unaccounted for, while recovering personal items they find in order to have them returned to their respective families.
“Today is a historic day for many of us, including myself. I hope that with the latest development, the remains of the five victims who are still missing are found soon. I also hope that nobody ever goes through a tragedy like this. I also hope that nobody in this country would suffer the same pain we went through.”
However, 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.
Kim Mok-yeon, Arirrang News, Mokpo.