On April 17, local time, South Korean rescue teams successfully entered the wrecked ship in an effort to locate survivors. This followed multiple failed attempts on the 16th and 17th, when search and rescue personnel tried to access the cabin over ten times but were unable to do so. As the critical "72-hour golden window" approached, the urgency of the operation intensified.
By April 19, the fourth day of the search, the death toll had reached dozens, with more than 200 people still missing, including four Chinese citizens. Despite efforts to open access to the hull and inject air, the situation remained dire. A teacher who had been rescued later left a suicide note, expressing deep guilt over the loss of students.
The "72-hour golden period" was approaching, and on April 18, conditions in the sea area improved, allowing for more intensive search and rescue operations. Divers began attaching airbags to the sunken vessel, aiming to stabilize it and allow further exploration. Each airbag could lift up to 35 tons, providing additional support as rescuers worked to reach trapped individuals.
Despite these efforts, attempts to enter the cabin continued to face challenges. On the afternoon of April 18, rescuers managed to enter the ship for the first time, but found no survivors. The operation lasted only 14 minutes due to blocked passages and broken safety equipment.
Confusion surrounded the list of passengers, especially regarding the four Chinese nationals aboard. Initially reported as three, the number was later updated to four. The Chinese Embassy confirmed that some of those missing were working in South Korea, while others were students. Discrepancies in the official passenger lists added to the frustration and uncertainty.
Meanwhile, South Korean prosecutors requested the arrest of the ship’s captain, a third-level mariner, and a helmsman, citing negligence and possible desertion during the disaster. If convicted, they could face severe penalties under new maritime laws.
One of the rescued teachers, Jiang, who had led the student group, was found dead near the site. His suicide note expressed profound remorse, vowing to be reunited with the lost students in death. His words highlighted the emotional toll of the tragedy on those involved.
As the search continued, the world watched closely, hoping for more survivors and answers to the many unanswered questions surrounding the sinking of the "Sewol" ferry.
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