Hundreds missing as S Korea ferry sinks

[Jimbuna]

This is terribly tragic

Almost 300 people remain unaccounted for after a ferry carrying 459 people capsized and sank off South Korea.

The ferry, carrying mainly school students, was travelling from the port of Incheon, in the north-west, to the southern resort island of Jeju.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-27045512

[Wolferz]

Did it sink?
The news article I saw only shows it capsized and floating on its side.

[kraznyi_oktjabr]

Originally Posted by Wolferz

Did it sink?
The news article I saw only shows it capsized and floating on its side.

Originally Posted by BBC

Images showed the ferry listing at a severe angle and then later almost completely submerged, with only a small part of its hull visible. It sank within two hours of sending a distress signal, reports said.

Unfortunately that description seems to be accurate except maybe whether its completely sunk and resting on its side or still floating.

[Aktungbby]

Originally Posted by Wolferz

Did it sink?
The news article I saw only shows it capsized and floating on its side.

as of 3 hours ago

[mapuc]

This is my own theory and should not be seen as the truth

the survivor have said they heard a (Huge) bump and then the ship started to capsized

Hmm could it be that one of NK's sub is involved ? It is not the first time they have attacked a ship from SK

Just a thought.

The problem is...there is no sign, from what I can see...

Markus

[Oberon]

I must admit, the fact that it's a well built Japanese ferry and the South Koreans aren't generally known for smashing their ferries into things...and the dull thud before the ship started listing and the rapidity of the sinking...

It does sound dreadfully familiar to anyone who has studied the uboat war and survivors of torpedo impacts...

I hope that it is not, and I also dearly hope that they are able to get more survivors off the wreck.

[mapuc]

I truly hope my theory is wrong ´cause we all know what's going to happen down there if....

Markus

[Jimbuna]

Came in from work at 2300 GMT and watched this on the news channels...the kids did as instructed, put on lifejackets and waited indoors.

Some videoed events as they unfolded and put them straight online, you could see the inner areas tilting at an alarming rate and some kids text their parents to say "This might be the last chance to tell you how much I love you" (or words to that effect).

Hindsight and all that but if the kids had been told to go out on deck it is possible most of them would have slid or jumped in the water and had a far better chance of being rescued.

A terrible tragedy

As of 15 minutes ago:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-27056653

[Dread Knot]

Originally Posted by Oberon

I must admit, the fact that it's a well built Japanese ferry and the South Koreans aren't generally known for smashing their ferries into things...and the dull thud before the ship started listing and the rapidity of the sinking...

It does sound dreadfully familiar to anyone who has studied the uboat war and survivors of torpedo impacts...

I hope that it is not, and I also dearly hope that they are able to get more survivors off the wreck.

I suppose anything is possible, but judging by the way the captain was practically hiding inside his hoodie during his police interview, I think he knows where the blame lies.

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by Dread Knot

I suppose anything is possible, but judging by the way the captain was practically hiding inside his hoodie during his police interview, I think he knows where the blame lies.

I wouldn't be so sure, there's a culture of shame over there, don't forget, he was probably regretting he didn't go down with the ship.
Time will tell though, certainly human error is the most likely cause in this situation, but given where it took place one cannot completely rule out enemy action.

[Oberon]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-27077694

Prosecutors in South Korea have asked a court to issue an arrest warrant for the captain of the ferry that sank on Wednesday, officials say.


It was earlier revealed that a junior officer - and not the captain - was at the helm of the ferry when it capsized.

This is all sounding a bit familiar...

[Jimbuna]

Third Officer was at the helm at the time...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-27077694

[Aktungbby]

The vessel was not off course to hit an unknown rock; but had made a radicle turn previous to the 'bang'; Perhaps a cargo container crashed down fracturing the 20 year old hull at several points inside the multi-compartments (antiflooding) and filled too rapidly to allow counter flooding. Apparently the captain was also not the usual captain but a relief captain as well as the third officer being on helm. a series of small details often leading to the greater calamity as with Titanic. Oddly enough: the 2 hr time frame is similar... http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304311204579507253422026022

[Oberon]

There's also the possibility of the sharp turn causing a dramatic shift of balance in the cargo, leading to the ship listing beyond its safety point and taking on water as a result.

[Platapus]

I guess the crew did not recognize the dangers of....

wait for it.....

wait for it.....

almost there.....

submerged ROKs....

(rimshot)

(crickets chirping)

I will just be sitting down over here in the corner.