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The captain of a sunken South Korean ferry has apologised to families of the victims and those missing a day after the country’s biggest maritime disaster.
Witnesses told Korean media yesterday that the captain of the vessel, which sank off South Korea’s southwest coast, leaving at least nine dead and about 290 missing, was one of the first to leave the stricken vessel. He is now being held by the coast guard.
“I am so sorry and I am shamed. I’m lost for words,” said Captain Lee Joon-seok when asked by journalists if he had anything to say to the victims and their families.
Authorities yesterday confirmed nine people had died and 288 passengers still missing, a day after the Sewol ferry flipped on its side off the southern coast of South Korea.
The ferry was carrying a total of 475 people when it sank.
South Korean President Park Geun-hye met angry and frustrated families of the victims yesterday, pledging that the government will do its best to rescue the hundreds still missing.
Park made a visit to Jindo, where rescue efforts are centred, and promised family members updates and accurate information on the progress of search operations. — AFP
Online Reporter