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Are salvaging and search operations up to Sewol victims` families?

Are salvaging and search operations up to Sewol victims` families?

Posted October. 28, 2014 08:25,   

한국어

A majority of the families of the victims of the Sewol ferry disaster wanted to continue searching in the water in a vote on whether to salvage the sunken vessel. As of now, 10 victims are missing: two teachers, five students and Lee Young-sook and Kwon Jae-geun and his son. Out of nine, four victim families wanted the ship to be salvaged, but it was far less than a majority.

“Only some 20 days will allow searching in the water in November. During the period, waves are not high and the water temperature is expected to be an average of 14.3 degrees Celsius,” said Bae Eui-cheol, a legal representative of the families. “As the conditions would allow searching operations in the water is possible, please do your best from Monday when the search resumes.” Park Gyeong-cheol, the head of the rescue company 88 Underwater Environment, informed the government that the company would finish searching by the end of October and withdraw the operation team. Although the company cannot disregard the government’s order and pull out as it likes, active rescue efforts cannot be expected when there are mixed opinions at the rescue site.

The search operation cost the lives of two divers and five fire fighters who were moving in a helicopter to assist rescue efforts in the territory notorious for roaring waves. As most of the hull collapsed, divers cannot get into the vessel and few visible results have been made for 102 days. As winter comes, waves will get higher and water temperature drop, which makes diving more difficult. Against this backdrop, asking for continued searching operations may be too much.

The lawyer for the families requested search efforts until when the bereaved families have no regrets. What the families want – doing whatever they can without giving up – is understandable. However, lifting the vessel up to the surface also has timing. Some say that even if we prepare it now, it can be done in spring at the earliest. It would cost an estimated 200 billion won (190 million U.S. dollars) to one trillion won (950 million dollars). It is doubtful whether how many more victims can be found even if it is done so. Given the costs and effects, the decision should be not just made by the bereaved families but also be based on experts’ discussion and a social consensus.