If you wish to share this document please use http://bit.ly/SewolFerry (Case Sensitive)

If you wish to chat with us, contact us (/u/gongdoricat(hkkim1227@gmail.com), nrg800@gmail.com  , /u/fefe28, cornian6@gmail.com) and give us your Gmail. We’ll individually hand out permissions.

Previous link(tinyurl.com/sewolferry) (See 1100KST Update of 23rd April)

Current statistics:

476+ Passengers. (includes 325 high school students, 14 teachers, 33 crews, 104 other)

172✻ Rescued. (includes 75 students, 3 teachers, 23 crew, 71 other)

294+ Dead. (including 232 students, 8 teachers, 5 foreigners (1 student), 32 other)(See 1932KST update)

10 Missing. (including 18 students, 3 teachers, 4 crew members, 4 other)

✻1 rescued passenger found dead (suicide). See 1605KST April 18th update.

3 member of rescue operation has died. See 1147KST April 20th update. See 1912KST on May 6th update and May 31st 1638KST update.

LIVE STREAM (independent investigative broadcast) http://www.ustream.tv/channel/facttv

(disclaimer: FactTV has access to scenes that the mainstream media simply won’t show...but they very prone to confirmation bias as they have a political aim)

LIVE STREAMS: YTN (24 hour news) / KBS, SBS, MBC / MBN, JTBC

The review of MV Sewol ferry by a traveler prior to wreck is available here(in KO)

0827KST: The body is presumed to be of a female cook, divers recovered it from the cafeteria. The authorities will conduct a DNA test as well as fingerprint scan to identify the body.

0620KST: One body was recovered still to be confirmed if a student, male or female. (EN)

July 18th

1350KST: Due to the typhoon Neoguri the search operations are halted since 5 days so far. (EN)

July 9th

2114KST: Recession after Sewol disaster continues, gross production decreased 1% for a month. (KO)

1705KST: Chung hong-won, prime minister who was reinstated after ‘prime minister candidate fiasco’, visited Jindo. (KO)

June 27th

2009KST:   Yoo Byeong-ho, Yoo Byeong-eun’s brother, was arrested on charge of embezzlement. (KO)

2003KST:   The number of missing people are still 12. Fast flow velocity makes it hard to do search operation. (KO)

1942KST:   Woori Bank reported suspicious financial dealings among Yoo Family members to financial authorities belatedly on purpose. (KO)

1849KST:   The National Maritime Police allowed Sewol Ferry to report information of its passengers and cargo after departure. (KO)

1701KST:   Kim Hyeon-mi, the member of special committee and the opposition party, insisted that though Lee Jun-seok, the captain of Sewol Ferry, had caused a lot of accidents in the past, only lenient disciplinary actions had been taken against him, so Mr. Lee kept steering his ships. (KO) 

June 22nd

2135KST:   2000 people gathered and clamoured for truth commission on  Sewol Ferry disaster. (KO)

2109kST:   Kwon Yun-ja, Yoo Byung-eun’s wife, was arrested in Seongnam city. (KO)

1931KST:   The first step of close search operation has done. The number of missing people are still 12. (KO)

June 21th

2229KST: JTBC investigated the sister ship of MV Sewol, MV Ohamana. They discovered that the escape route as well as emergency broadcast system was very well equiped, and the access to emergency channel was very easy(which is contradictory to what is said by the crew). However, it is also discovered that the cargo holders were terribly maintained (KO)

1651KST:   The family of missing people criticized Korean National Assembly sharply for disregarding their demand to put off report on institution until July. (KO)

1635KST:   The Prosecution arrested ex-Korean ambassador to the Czech Republic Oh Gap-ryeol, Yoo Byung-eun’s younger sister’s husband. (KO)

1634KST:   The 5 board members of Chung-Hae-Jin shipping company denied their accusations. (KO)

1631KST:   Prime Minister designate Moon Chang-geuk said, “If I were in Sewol Ferry, I would have rescued some students.” (KO)

1620KST:   The Minister of Justice Hwang Gyo-an said, “I’ll do my best to prove the crew of Sewol Ferry are guilty.” (KO)

1610KST:    The number of missing people are still 12. (KO)

1543KST:   “There was no passenger list in Sewol Ferry”, opposition lawmaker said. (KO)

June 20th

1630KST:  Street cheering for World Cup changed their cheering venue because of a group memorial altar for Sewol Ferry disaster in front of Seoul City Hall square. (KO)

1620KST:   The first trial of Sweol Ferry crew will be started in July 8th. The trial’s first schedule is watching films of sinking Sweol Ferry. (KO)

1618KST:  Korean government announced they are going to support private divers for Sewol Ferry and provide living costs for them. (KO)

1617KST:   14 members of Sweol Ferry crew denied their accusation, only first engineer admitted his guilt. (KO)

1616KST:   The number of missing people are still 12. (KO)

1616KST:  Special committee on parliamentary investigation for Sewol Ferry had their first general meeting. (KO)

1613KST:   The 2nd Mama Kim got arrested by the prosecution. She had been suspected of helping Yoo Byung-eun to escape from the police dragnet. (KO)

1607KST:   The family of missing people asked Korean National Assembly to finish search operations to the end of June. (KO)

June 17th

2044KST:  Anonymous woman who lost her son in Sewol Ferry disaster took Korean government and Chung-hae-jin shipping company to court for compensation. It’s the first lawsuit. According to her ex-husband who had taken care of their son for many years all alone, she was completely out of touch with them. (KO)

2037KST:  Busan District Public Prosecutors combed Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries with a seizure and search warrant. (KO)

2006KST:  An emergency headquarters hired 4 family counselors and 3 medical staffs for family of missing people. (KO)

1951KST: Yoo Byung-il, Yoo Byung-eun’s brother, got arrested for embezzlement and some other reasons. He was trying sneaking in his brother’s secret villa. (KO)

1947KST:  Sin Myeong-hui, well-known as Mama Sin, turned herself in to the police. She had been suspected  of helping Yoo Byung-eun to escape from the police dragnet. (KO)

1818KST:  Street Vendors Mass Meeting held a rally and clamoured for truth commission on  Sewol Ferry disaster. Ten thousand participants. (KO)

2042KST:  The cabinet was reshuffled by president Park. Seven ministries were replaced, but it’s decided to make Lee Ju-yeong, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, stay in office and help coping with the disaster. (KO)

June 13rd

2209KST:  After Sewol Ferry disaster, local governments started offering swimming classes for survival to elementary schools. (KO)

2207KST:  Park Yeong-seon, a minority floor leader, had representative speech. “The first goal of National Assembly will be getting to the bottom of the Sewol Ferry disaster.” (KO)

2159KST:  The National Maritime Police binded private divers participating in search operation for Sewol Ferry to secrecy and received written oaths from them. (KO)

2158KST:  Shin Dong-ho, a private diver, said “the National Maritime Police doesn’t enter the body of the ship and just assisted private divers.”  (KO)

2154KST:  “Let’s not forget Sewol Ferry disaster.” 161 teachers gathered in Gwang-hwa-mun square and recited appeal. (KO)

2146KST:  The prosecution arrested Kim, Yoo Byung-eun’s female secretary on the charge of embezzlement. (KO)

2124KST:  The Pope is going to offer his condolences to the bereaved when he visits Korea this coming August. (KO)

0940KST: Police entered church retreat to arrest two church followers who are suspected of helping Yoo Byung-eun evade a manhunt but failed to locate the two. (EN)

June 12nd

June 11th

2120KST: Massive protest in Seoul. Police is blocking access to the Bluehouse. (Twit)(KO)

2025KST: Trial ended. All of the defendants denied their charges.(KO)

1400KST: First trial of the crews of Sewol will be held Gwangju Municipal Court. (KO)

0619KST: It is revealed that SART(Special Air Rescue Team) from Air Force failed to intervene in the rescue operation due to lack of proper guidance (KO)

June 10th

2330KST: A body of male discovered inside the stern of deck 4, reducing the missing toll to 12. (KO)

1035KST: A body of female student teacher discovered inside the cafeteria, reducing the missing toll to 13. (KO)

1031KST: New presidential director general of public relations named.(KO)

0843KST: The savorist cult stronghold will hold press conference today. (KO)

June 8th

Today: Oh-kyun Kwon, Brother-in-law of Mr. Yoo is imprisoned(KO)

June 7th

2233KST: Cutting of outer plate of the vessel finished (KO)

1433KST: Another male body, who was the cook, was discovered. (KO)

June 6th

1423KST: One male body was found 22miles away from where ferry sank after 15 days. It is revealed that the body belongs to the father of the youngest survivor(6 yrs old) (KO)

1305KST: Special Congressional Committee for Investigating Sewol Disaster arrived at Jindo. Hearings continue currently (2305KST) (KO)

June 5th

Overall : Today was an election day for electing mayors, governors, head of municipal education bureau and municipal congressmen in Korea. The result had shown that both parties lost the trust from koreans. Overall, the opposition party was slightly ahead. (KO)

2206KST: Oh-Kyun Kwon, brother in law of Mr. Yoo is arrested. (KO)

June 4th

1841KST: A legislation is proposed by the Ministry of Justice to make it possible to add up the penalty of each crime, if the crime resulted in mass death. Therefore, even if the perpetrator is guilty for manslaughter, if it resulted in mass death, the penalty add up. The maximum penalty  is 100 years. (KO)

1725KST: Recovery operation resumed after 3 days of bad weather and one casualty of diver. To ensure the safety of divers, sawing, instead of welding will be used. (KO)

1533KST: KBS journalists’ association sued the president of KBS (Hwan-yeong Gill) and the presidential director general of public relations for undermining freedom of broadcasting. (KO)

1522KST: It is reported that Mr. Yoo tried to demand exile due to political reasons to unspecified embassy. The request was rejected (KO)

1521KST: The original captain of MV Sewol to be also persecuted (KO)

June 3rd

1327 KST: Only opposition party lawmakers belonging to a parliamentary investigation into the Sewol ferry disaster visited jindo. Lawmakers of ruling Saenuri Party stated the family members had requested the the committee members visit them another day. But in a radio interview, representative of family members said that they didn't ask for any postponement. (EN)(KO)

June 2nd

1553 KST: Searching operations for missing passengers were put on hold due to bad weather. (KO)

June 1st

1624KST: Search operations for missing people resumed except for operations to cut open windows. (KO)

1058KST: The deceased diver's colleague that joined him for the cutting operation said that he heard an underwater explosion that might explain the external lungs injuries on the diver that passed away. They suspended the search operation to seek for the cause.

0556KST: Search operations for missing people and operations to cut open windows were put on hold following the death of a civilian diver during an underwater job. (KO)

May 31st

2244KST: An arrest warrant was issued for Commissioner of Mokpo Maritime Safety Tribunal and former director of Cheonhaejin Marine on charge of receiving and offering bribes in the course of getting authorization for Sewol ferry. (KO)

1638KST: The diver, who took part in operations to cut open windows at the back end of the submerged hull, complained of breathing difficulties and was flown to a nearby hospital by helicopter, but was pronounced dead. (EN)

May 30th

0913KST: Divers decided to cut open the sunken ferry to enhance the search process. (EN)

0917KST: KBS union launched strike to demand president’s resignation  over the allegation that he urged not to criticize the government(EN)

1658KST: Both parties agreed to question the chief of staff, Kichun Kim over ferry disaster. He was alleged to be connected with the savorist cult. (EN)

1711KST: Court temporarily freezes Sewol owner family’s assets. (EN)

1805KST: Parties pass motion for parliamentary probe into ferry disaster. (EN)

May 29th

1700KST: Barge actually couldn’t depart the port.

1125KST: Congressmen fail to reach conclusion on the witness issue(See Kichun Kim) of the probe, causing the investigation to stall. Families of the deceased is doing sit-in inside the national assembly in response.

1105KST: Barge equipped with cutting machines arrived on site. It will cut through the stern portion of deck 4. (KO)

May 28th

2215KST: The voice will of a student deceased in the disaster rediscovered from trashed cellphone after the help of dozens of parents. (KO)

1913KST: Seom-Na Yoo, first daughter of Byeong-Eun Yoo, was arrested in France, marking the first arrest of Yoo’s family.(KO)

1753KST: Families agreed to cut outer parts of the vessel to aid in the recovery operation. (KO)

1640KST: Head of AHAE Co., as well as former head of AHAE Co., arrested for embezzlement (KO)

1549KST: President of Hematocentric Life Foundation and a professor in medicine, Jae-Ok Lee, M.D. was arrested for leadingthe escape of Mr. Yoo and Yoo, jr. (KO)

0538KST: The father of a deceased who ran away long ago took the insurance fund (approx 25,000 USD) using loopholes in related laws.(KO)

0307KST: It is revealed that Mr. Yoo ordered to use and expand MV Sewol even after executives raised concerns about the stability of the vessel(KO)

May 27th

2200KST: Issues have been raised with the logistics of a large-scale criminal trial regarding the boat accident. A large number of witnesses will need to be called and subpoenaed along with a huge number of documents tendered and analysed. Party members have suggested a government committee to organise all of this.

2107KST: Assembly fails to begin Sewol disaster probe due to disagreements on the witnesses for the probe. Specifically, whether to include the Kichun Kim current chief of staff, as he was deeply connected with Mr. Yoo(EN)

2105KST: A prosecution lawyer has revealed that Mr. Yoo was notified of a number of structural and operational risks with the Sewol Ferry earlier this year. Specifically the ferry’s inability to correct an extreme change in balance.(EN)

1721KST: Sewol divers furious over pay-per-body allegation. (KO)

May 26th

(TODO)

May 25th

2023KST: Mr. Yoo discovered in Yeosu, a port city in Southern Area. Arrest operation failed due to a vehicle blocking the police. The owner of the vehicle wanted.(KO)

1930KST: Massive protests occurred in Seoul - Over 30,000 in Chyeonggye plaza, demanding the government be held responsible for the disaster (KO)(Photo) Some protestors have been arrested.(KO)

1743KST: No breakthroughs in recovery operation for 3 days due to fast current. Weather advisory effective since 25th May. (KO)

1457KST: Mr. Yoo and Yoo Jr.’s whereabout still unknown.

0000KST: This marks the 40th day of the Sewol Rescue Operation

May 24th

0929KST: Diver set to maximize the opportunity of weakest currents for search mission. (EN)

1330KST: Ministry of Defense holds disaster drill in wake of Sewol Disaster(EN)

1422KST: KBS Producers join strike against ‘biased’ news coverage over the disaster.(EN)

1441KST: Investigators to indict  operators of Sewol on charges of neglecting their duties to supervise the ship.(EN)

1716KST: Protestant church leader resigns over remarks about ferry victims. He said that he doesn’t understand why the children from such poor families to travel to Jeju which is far away. (EN)

1752KST: Divers failed to recover any bodies from the ship, due to deteriorating hull condition. (EN)

2018KST: Mr. Yoo’s children registered on the Interpol’s red notice list. (EN)

May 23rd

2037KST: Separate communication system blamed for the delayed cooperations between rescue organizations. (EN)

2033KST: Arrest warrants were issued for Mr. Yoo, the ferry owner. (EN)

2032KST: Government working on to boost businesses hurt due to the falout of the disaster. (EN)

2030KST: Teachers face detentions for urging Park to quit over the disaster(EN)

1823KST: Civic, Religious groups form ad-hoc council on ferry disaster, demanding thorough investigation and bold following actions. (EN)

1645KST: Daehee Ahn, ex-Supreme court judge tapped as new prime minister (EN)

1602KST: Sewol owner(Mr. Yoo) put on wanted list, with bounty of 50 million won (50,000USD) (EN)

1040KST: Official campaign for June local elections kicks off. Experts believe that the disaster may influence the election in favor of the opposition party.(EN)

May 22nd

1233KST: President was notified of the disaster at 1000KST, says the prime minister (KO)

1126KST: Return order of Mr. Yoo’s son and daughter’s passports are issued. After 2 return orders are ignored, their passports will be nullified(EN)

1110KST: Savorists decided to cooperate with Prosecutor’s office after the office officially stated that savorists are not related with a mass suicide in 1987. Press is still not allowed to enter the facility. However, the effectiveness is doubted since Mr. Yoo seemed to escape that facility. (KO)

0935KST: A female body discovered, making death toll 288. Underwater cranes deployed to access deck 5. (EN)

May 21th

1540KST: Prime minister admits that National Intelligence Service was contacted first during the disaster (KO)

1130KST: Cheonghaejin Marine Corp is reviewing to file for bankruptcy (EN)

1127KST: Search began for bow section of deck 5. (KO)

May 20th

2004KST: One female body found in cafeteria, making the whole death toll 287(KO)

1545KST: Statistics show that Deck 4, where students stayed had strikingly low survival rate(23%) compared with other decks.(Deck 3: 70%, Deck 5: 69%). (KO)

1447KST: Gov’t to set up April 16th as commemoration day for safety, which was proposed by families(KO)

1433KST: Government Agencies reformed due to Sewol Disaster and presidential speech(KO)

1300KST: Effective now, KBS(Korea Broadcasting System) Journalists began strike to restore the independence of broadcasting and to urge the resignation of Mr. Gill, current president of KBS alleged to pressure journalists to follow the Government’s guideline. News broadcast shortened to 20min. (KO, KO2)

1001KST: Ministry of Strategy and Finance decided to aid the families of the deceased’s getting jobs(KO)

0903KST: President Park ordered to DISBAND Korea Coast Guard, to be integrated with Korea Police Agency and planned Ministry of Safety (KO)(EN)

0730KST: Search halted due to broken anchor line of the barge. Resumed in 1630KST after maintenance(KO)

May 19th

1131KST: President Park on Monday (19th) will make a nationally televised speech over the ferry tragedy. (EN)

0500KST: A woman’s body has been recovered from the crew’s cafeteria on the third floor, bringing the death toll up to 286. (EN)

May 18th

2054KST: 5 more divers have withdrawn due to health concern, while 2 have been sent to the hospital for decompression. (Twitter)(Yonhapnews)

1800KST: Several rallies were held today in Seoul to protest the poor gov’t response over the ferry disaster. About 500 civic groups and about 30,000 citizens, including the Korean Federation of Trade Unions, People Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union have participated in tribute to the victims . (EN) (KO)

1110KST: Early today divers have found one body of a man rising the toll to 285. Meantime 12 more divers have joined to replace those who withdrawn, they will go through a health check. (EN)

May 17th

2204KST: President Park to reshuffle cabinet over the ferry disaster. (EN)

2144KST: Investigators revealed that safety manifest of MV Sewol was made after the vessel left the port. The manifest was far from accurate(KO)

2144KST: Korea Bar Association became the official representative of the family of the missing. They are recruiting Digital Forensic Experts for the deceased cellphone.(KO)

1908KST: Prosecutor’s Office raided Jeju Port & Transport Union Office, suspected of aiding in overloading of the vessel.(KO)

1545KST: President Park and family representatives of the deceased had face-to-face talk. The president apologized for the incompetence of government. Representatives demanded ‘independent and thorough investigation team’, but it was refused. (KO)

1536KST: 13 civilian divers and one rescue ship have withdrawn from the search operation. (EN)

1000KST: Mr. Yoo(Byung-eun Yoo) ignored prosecution summons. Arrest warrants were issued immediately. The Savorist cult, which is currently barricading their stronghold condemned the government as oppressive. (KO) (EN)

May 16th

2125KST: Investigation team filed the bill of indictment against the crews. The bill showed that the crews were clearly aware of the seriousness of the situation, as well as the fate of passengers if they don’t rescue them. (KO)

2046KST: Manhunt for Mr. Yoo and their associates continues. The passport of associates, who fled to overseas, will be voided to aid their return to Korea. (KO)

1923KST: Police officials who blocked the protest of the families of the deceased was sued by PSPD(People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy - similar with ACLU in USA). (KO)

1829KST: According to official investigation team, crews deliberately refused to rescue the passengers, afraid of being behind of the rescue priority. (KO)

1742KST: 3 more bodies found inside the ship, making the death toll 284. Recovery headquarter announced that they will conclude the primary search for bodies today. (KO)

1127KST: Prosecutors charge the captain and 3 crew members with murder. (EN)

May 15th

2121KST: The eldest son of the ferry’s owner has been put on a nationwide wanted list. He is suspected along with the whole family for illegal actions. (EN)

1333KST: Two more bodies found, making the total death toll 278.(KO)

1213KST: First official hearing of the disaster held in the National Assembly ended with screams and criticisms.(KO)

0953KST: Savorist cults barricade their stronghold, where Mr. Yoo, the owner of Chonghaejin Co., is suspected to hide in. Both Mr. Yoo and Mr. Yoo Jr. is now missing. (KO) (EN) Other church members are missing.

0912KST: The search operation is still ongoing even though there’s a risk of the ferry’s walls to collapse. (EN)

0230KST: Search halted after only an hour due to collapse of corridors. (KO)

14th May

1956KST: It is revealed that crews abandoned co-workers(specifically, cooks who were injured) during their escapes. All of the cooks are currently missing. Murder charge is under consideration. (KO)

1828KST: A Professor in Hongik University, who insulted the family of the missing as being ‘primitives’ via Facebook, resigned today. (KO)

1400KST: An MSNBC Report made in 24th which indicated that crews were ‘ordered to abandon the ship’ were shed into light. (KO)

1200KST: A female was discovered in Floor Cabin, deck 4. Presumably a student. (KO)

1135KST: Prosecutors attempted to arrest the ferry’s owner son at his home, but he was not there. (EN)

0052KST: Search operation has been resumed at 00:52, still no news about the missing passengers. (EN)

13th May

2320KST: A documentary program (RealStory Eye) which investigated Savorist Cult was stopped mid-air. Official cause is ‘erroneous editing’.(KO)

2121KST: No recovery operation done today due to fast current and deteriorating condition of the vessel.(KO)

2113KST: South Korean government legally recognized three of the ferry victims (Park Ji-young (22), Kim Ki-woong and Jung Hyun-sun (28) all crew members) as heroes. (EN)

2045KST: Prosecutor’s office decided to charge the captain with murder. (KO)

2022KST: Coast guard under heavy fire due to their recent reports which concluded that their rescue ability is ‘magnificent’(KO)

1923KST: Majority Saenuri Party and Minority NPAD party decided to demand full-scale inspection(국정조사) officially. (KO)

0610KST: Prosecutors have arrested a senior official of an inspection company (KR SeaTrust), they said the inspector provided false report regarding the condition of the lifeboats on the ferry. It’s been falsely reported that the Sewol’s equipment in 17 categories was in “good” conditions. (Arirang TV)

0600KST: Due to the bad weather the search operation is suspended once again. (EN)

12th May

Today: A Korean-American Internet community, MissyUSA launched advertisement campaign criticizing gov’t poor response. Now on NYT (Link)

2007KST: The Prosecutor’s office determined that Coast Guard ‘had sufficient ability’ to enter the vessel and rescue more passengers. Criminal investigation towards Coast Guard had begun(KO)

1209KST: A volunteer at Ansan Mourning Center committed suicide. The act was committed on May 9th, but reported on the 11th. (KO)

1112KST: Parties agreed to hold a special parliamentary session to discuss the investigation and the sinking of the ferry. (EN)

0757KST: Low tide period ended, search stopped due to weather advisory(heavy wind and rain from 0900KST).(KO) (EN)

0140KST: A father of the deceased student attempted hanging himself near the official mourning center in Ansan. (KO-Twitter)

0050KST: Yangja Jeon, an actress, a member of the Savorist cult, finished the interrogation due to the alleged connection with Mr. Yoo. (KO)

May 11st

1800KST: Protests mourning the deceased and criticizing the gov’t were held in Seoul Cheonggyecheon(6000+) and Ansan. (KO)

1253KST: Internal walls of the vessel began to collapse, all from the expanded section of the vessel.(KO)

1131KST: Search stopped due to weather advisory(KO)

0950KST: Chonghaejin Marine Co, refused to pay for the funeral of part-time workers. The city of Incheon said that they will make the company to pay.

0710KST: The first mate of the ferry contacted the owner of the ship first losing half an hour instead of putting an evacuation plan in act and contact the Coast Guard. (Arirang TV)

0700KST: It’s been discovered that some of the victims were found in a cabin reserved only to crew members on the 5th deck while trying to escape from the waters. If the rescue mission was held properly more lives could have been saved. (Arirang TV)

10th May

2153KST: The KBS editor urged Hwan-Young Gil, the president of KBS to resign, citing suppression of press. The editor leaked that the Changjung Yoon Incident(See EN) was deliberately suppressed by Mr. Gil. (KO)

1750KST: The KBS editor resigned after the inappropriate comment regarding Sewol tragedy. (EN)

1745KST: A mother of the deceased student attempted suicide(KO)

1627KST: The billionaire Yoo Byung Eun is suspected to be the actual owner of Chonghaejin Marine Co. which owned and operated the Sewol ferry. (EN)

1619KST: The opposition party urges the National Assembly to uncover everything about the sinking of the ferry. (EN)

1542KST: Two of the presidential secretaries met the family members of the victims during their protest in front of the Presidential palace. (EN)

1204KST: The president Park Geun Hye urges pre-emptive measures to prevent the slowing of the economy in part due to the Sewol tragedy. (EN)

1146KST: The search of the missing bodies expands to the entire ship. (EN)

0400KST: Families blocked by police at Hyoja-dong Community Center.(KO)

0229KST: BREAKING. The families of the victims decided to go to the Presidential house.(KO) (EN)

0020KST: 10 family reps are talking with KBS Executives currently.

May 9th

2300KST: BREAKING. Families of the dead protests in front of KBS, the national television network. They demand apology from KBS head of news who said that “Sewol disaster is not more significant than annual death toll due to traffic accidents.” (FactTV LiveStream, KO)

2145KST: Ministry of Ocean and Fisheries discarded and modified initial status reports, which is forbidden normally.(KO)

1832KST: Families of dead students kicked out several major news agencies from Ansan Memorial Center, citing previous harassments from the agencies and the “Traffic Accident” saying from KBS news. (KO)

1724KST: The diver that passed away had no diving license. He was allowed to take part of the operation because of his 30 years experience. (EN)

1544KST: The Prime Minister urges the overhaul of national safety management system due to the ferry tragedy. (EN)

1142KST: The opposite party leaders have visited the families of those still missing, showing concern. (EN)

1113KST: Sewol was routinely overloaded with cargo to increase profit, the ship was carrying 3,608 tons of cargo including 108 vehicles, 3 times its capacity.

1100KST: Undine Marine Company gave up the salvage operation of MV Sewol, citing allegation of connection with Chonghaejin and criticism from public (KO)

1045KST: 3 more bodies were found rising the toll up to 272. One female and 2 males their identity is still unknown. (Arirang TV)

1032KST: The search operation has been delayed due to bad weather. Once resumed the divers will focus on the front of the 3rd and 4th decks, inside cabins, main corridors and the back of the 4th deck. (EN)

0957KST: The head of the Sewol ferry, Kim Han Sik has been arrested at his home for manslaughter and violation of the act on vessel safety. (EN)

May 8th

2041KST: The prosecutors requested arrest warrants for the head of Semo Group and the head of Semo’s shipbuilding unit Chonhaiji, for multiple corruption allegations. (EN)

2020KST: A coast guard officer lost consciousness on site, probable cause is overworking. (KO)

1959KST: The Coast Guard revised the number of the missing and the rescued, from 174 to 172 since one passenger was listed with two different names and one was wrongly reported to be among the rescued. To the missing they added 2 Chinese passengers. (EN) (KO)

1805KST: The former chief of Ahae Corp. was questioned for the second time regarding his connection with Yoo Byung Eun’s illegal movements. He is suspected for unconfirmed consulting services. (EN)

1740KST: Sewol registered the largest number of accidents among the country’s passenger ship companies over the past 5 years. (EN)

1304KST: It is revealed that <Emergency Relief Fund>, which should be given immediately after the disaster is not still paid to families, and the size (3200USD for 4 people during 60 days) of fund is under question.(KO)

1109KST: The Cabinet approved a bill due to prevent maritime disasters like Sewol’s from happening again. (EN)

1037KST: Low tide period starts today, more recovery attempts expected. (KO)

0930KST: All 64 cabins expected to be populated were searched. More searches pending.(KO)

0927KST: One female body discovered.

0910KST: On the 22nd day the divers are still looking for the remaining 33 bodies. Today the weather and sea conditions are favorable, slow currents are expected.

0505KST: Gov’t to introduce Maritime Safety Inspector to prevent maritime disasters.

0307KST: Coast guard is alleged to access the dead’s cellphone memory card without permissions. (KO)

7th May

2357KST: The media is not reporting the protest against the Sewol disaster. (EN (Twitter))

2112KST: President Park Geun Hye made a second apology over the ferry tragedy. (EN)

1852KST: It’s been discovered that in the ferry was created an additional storage space for transporting more cargo. This might be the main reason for the fast sinking of the Sewol, overloading. (EN)

1751KST: The family members of the victims had another silent protest in front of the memorial altar at Ansan.

1700KST: There is the possibility that infants were abroad since divers reported baby feeding bottle was found. (EN)

1625KST: Mee-hong Chung, former Saenuri Party Candidate for Seoul Mayor tweeted “Students are paid to rally against government about Sewol Disaster.” The tweet account was deactivated after it was revealed to be false. (EN)

1613KST: Main opposition party urges special counsel probe into sunken ferry. (Yonhapnews)

1556KST: Despite the death of one of the divers earlier today, the search operation continues. (EN)

1427KST: The U.S Ambassador to China has visited the mourning altar set up in Beijing to pay respect to the victims. (EN)

0922KST: The GOV emergency team sent a medical staff to the rescue team and divers on the site of the accident.

0806KST: A private diver working for UNDIN died. He had lost his conscious during searching work. A helicopter transported him to a local hospital in Mokpo, but he passed away (KO).

6th May

1007KST: Today were recovered 11 more bodies bringing the death toll to 259. The divers said that if they don’t find the missing 43 bodies by 15th May they will expand the search on the 1st and 2nd decks in the cargo compartments. (EN)

0730KST: Gov’t retracts plans for lifting several safety-related regulations, citing Sewol Disaster. (KO)

0600KST: Sewol Disaster causing depression in national sales. Adverse effects on the economy predicted.(KO)

5th May

2132KST: The confirmed death toll is 248, the bodies were found on the 3rd and 4th decks of the ferry. So far 61 cabins out of the 64 in the rescue plan have been checked. The remaining compartments are the public places such as the lobbies the bathrooms and the cafeterias, the rescue team will expand the searching operation in the cargo compartments on the 1st and the 2nd decks. (KO)

1330KST: Park Geun Hye promised that everyone involved with the ferry disaster will be punished. (EN)

1314KST: President Park Geun Hye visited for the second time the Jindo island meeting with the families of the victims, after that she visited the site where the ferry sank and encouraged the divers saying they were “the last hope” for the families. (KO) (EN)

1153KST: The families of the victims are making a silent protest while holding manifests saying “Stay still” at the Seoul City Hall.

1020KST: The divers are trying to access the blocked cabins nonetheless the difficulties they are facing such as fatigue, poor visibility and strong currents. (EN)

0801: Documents showed that the ferry exceeded its cargo limit on 246 trips. (EN)

0700KST: On the 19th day 6 more bodies were recovered from the 4th deck in the morning rising the death toll up to 242. (EN)

4th May

1952KST: People ignored the announcements during subway crash in Seoul, citing MV Sewol case. (KO)

1911KST: Salvage of the vessel may take more than 6 months, says Undine Marine Co. (KO)

1859KST: 8 bodies discovered, mostly in the bow of deck 4. (KO)

1816KST: A passenger of MV Sewol, who rescued dozens of students asserted, “Coast guard just watched us rescuing ourselves.” (KO)

3rd May

1939KST: CEO of Dapanda Co, a close aid of Mr. Yoo is arrested. (KO)

1848KST: 93% of missing are Danwon HS students and teachers, says the rescue headquarter. (KO)

1802KST: 7 bodies recovered from site, making the death toll 228. (KO)

1737KST: The announcement to escape was possible, says the investigation headquarter. (KO)

1411KST: Some of the debris discovered 30km away from site, causing worries about possible wash-away of bodies. (KO)

1352KST: Massive simultaneous search to Deck 3, 4, 5 and common areas will be done today. (KO)

1132KST: President Park said that she would apologize to the public after figuring out the alternatives. (KO)

1115KST: The owner familly of the ferry refused once again to respond to the prosecution summonses. The family is charged with tax evasion, neglecting duties, bribery and embezzlement. (EN)

1047KST: Head of Coast Guard Intelligence and Investigation Department resigned, after allegations that he was involved with the cult, savorists, which is related with Chonghaejin Marine. (KO)

0957KST: Another body discovered 4km away from the site, creating worries that some bodies may be washed away. (KO)

0858KST: This morning were recovered 5 more bodies (0300KST), identity still unknown rising the death toll up to 226. (EN)

0357KST: Questions arise to Undine Marine Co, due to allegation that the company is related with Chonghaejin Marine Co, operator of the ferry.

2nd May

2037KST: It’s been discovered that the cargo was tied down with ropes instead of steel wires causing the cargo to slide and as consequence the ferry losing its balance. Also there is an investigation for a possible illegal redesigning of the ship. (EN)

1529KST: Civilian diver hospitalized after falling unconscious in ferry search. (EN)

1447KST: The president Park Geun Hye announced that the GOV should put as first priority the safety measures. (EN)

1419KST: The GOV said that there will be a new improved safety education for students and teachers due to the ferry tragedy. (EN)

1225KST: Diving bell from Alpha Marine Co, operated for 2 hrs, but retreated due to lack of divers on site. (KO)

0720KST: The authorities are investigating the Maritime Ministry, the Ministry of Security and Public Administration, the Korea Coast Guard and the Korea Maritime and Port Administration whether these companies have had a proper safety management systems in passenger ships. (Arirang TV)

0700KST: The head of Coast Guard officially apologized for the delayed search operations.

0610KST: Overnight one female student body has been recovered 2 km away from the site of the accident.(0400 KST) (KO)

0600KST: Two officials from the Sewol’s operator Chonghaejin Marine Company have been arrested for failing to heed warnings about the cargo’s weight on the ferry. Carrying 3 times its limit, causing the ferry balance lost and the ability to stabilize itself. (EN)

0000KST: Associated Press revealed the footage of disaster inside the ship from the smartphone of one of the deceased student. None in the footage survived. (YOUTUBE)

1th May

1938KST: The students that survived came to visit their lost classmates and friends at the mourning hall. (EN+footage taken by one of the deceased students, )

1842KST: The woman shown to be calmed by the President was staged, causing outrage among families. (KO) (EN)

1823KST: Head of Korea Coast Guard apologized for delays in rescue operation. (KO)

1613KST: Diving bell from Alpha withdrawn due to punctured oxygen tube after 20 minutes of operation. Alpha alleges Undine Marine Co., to provide wrong location of wreckage, causing delays. (Tube fixed at 1746KST)(KO)

1136KST: Gov’t(State auditor) launches a probe into government over ferry disaster. (EN)

1100KST: Lawmakers made a resolution in favour for those affected by the tragedy to help with the proceeding of the investigations, also they agreed to donate 10% of their salary of May to the parents and the families of the victims. (Arirang TV)

1035KST: It’s been discovered that the number of the crews abroad was incorrect from 29 crews said it’s been corrected to 33, 4 of which part time workers. The authorities  however are suspecting that more crew members have been abroad. (Arirang TV)

1000KST: Song Kook-bin, close aide of ferry owner and owner of a door-to-door sales company(Dapanda, Co) was summoned by prosecutors due to corruption allegations.(EN)

0935KST:  The Seoul municipal government will open a “yellow ribbon garden” in tribute to all the victims of the Sewol tragedy. (ENG)

0900KST: Overnight the divers recovered in total 16 more bodies, from which 12 were found in the lobby of the 5th deck and the other 4 on the 4th deck. Rising the death toll up to 210.

30th April

1759KST: Search for bodies will continue until May 15th. (KO) (ENG)

1756KST: Rescue operation hindered by inconsistency between the floor plan and actual vessel structure. (KO)

1635KST: 12 bodies, 11 from lobby of deck 5, discovered today, making the total death toll 205. (KO)

1307KST: Two cranes out of the 4 have turned back to Geoje due to the bad weather conditions.

1206KST: Park Geun Hye offered her apology to the victims of Sewol ferry and proposed to launch a new safety ministry supervision to prevent tragedies like this happening again. (ENG) (KO)

1203KST: Headcam Footage of initial rescue operation(21min) shows that only 5 boats were involved until the vessel capsized completely. (KO) (FOOTAGE)

1148KST: It’s been revealed that MV Sewol contacted 7 times the Chonghaejin Marine Co Ltd during the capsizing. (KO)

1130KST: The authorities are currently investigating Kim Han Sik the president of the Chonghaejin Marine Company for a possible relation to Rev. Yoo with tax evasion and other illegal movements, in addition they are also investigating if the lifeboats on MV Sewol were malfunctioning. (Arirang TV)

1109KST: The parents of the victims held a press conference where they announced that the donations will be used for scholarships. (KO)

1014KST: A new memorial hall has been opened in Ansan (Ansan Hwarang Memorial Hall) it will be open for 24 hrs and everyone who wants to pay tribute to the victims is free to visit it. (Source+Location of the new memorial hall)

1000KST: On the 14th day since the disaster happened only 38 cabins out of the 64 from the rescue plan have been checked so far. The divers are concentrating mostly on the 4th deck where most of the missing passengers are believed to be trapped. (YTN LIVE TV)

0930KST: The diving bell might be used later today, it will allows the divers to proceed with the operation for 20 hrs without interrupting it. (YTN LIVE TV)

0915KST: The President Park Geun Hye visited the mourning altar to pay her tribute. (ENG) (KO)

0700KST: Japanese leaders paid their respect to the victims of the Sewol tragedy in the memorial altar that is set up in Tokyo at the Korean Residents Union.

0615KST: Three members of the Korea Shipping Association have been arrested for destroying documents regarding MV Sewol. (Arirang TV)

0600KST: Fast currents and high tides are expected today, the rain is expected to cease during the day.

0200KST: Four more bodies have been found their identity is still unknown, but are presumed to be male students. The bodies have been recovered from the 4th deck rising the death toll up to 193. (YTN LIVE TV)

29th April

Today: Unedited version of 22min footage inside the ship was uploaded on youtube under the request of parents of the deceased student, who took the footage. The footage was broadcast in JTBC in edited version. (YOUTUBE) (ENG)

1857KST: Last kakaotalk message sent from the ship at 1017KST, 16 April, says coast guard. According to footage by coast guard, the vessel was 90 degrees capsized. (Source)

1716KST: Prosecutor’s office raided Korea Shipping Association Incheon Branch and Mokpo Coast Gaurd Situation Room. However, it is reported that the raid was leaked prior, resulting in the destruction of some evidence (Source)

1642KST: USNS Safeguard dispatched to the scene from Busan port. (Source)

1420KST: One body discovered at the deck 4. Death toll now 189(Source)

1146KST: Diver’s welfare in concern - eating instant ramen and sleeping on paper box. (Source)

1130KST(Est.): Head of Special Force Reserve Army Mokpo, Boohan Yoon, disclosed that the minister of the Ministry of Ocean and Fishery stopped UDT/SEAL veteran divers to head to the site at 16th April 1230KST. This disclosure occurred in the middle of press conference. (Source, Source 2, Footage 1, Footage 2)

1030KST: Out of 188 bodies 40 were found outside the MV Sewol. (Arirang TV)

1020KST: Danwon High School resumed its activities for all students, while for the 74 students who survived no decision on when they will return has been made yet.

1000KST: The GOV announced that the mourning period will last until May 11th.

0805KST: The rescue team to use floating buoy in attempt to stop the bodies being drifted away by the strong currents. The search area has extended to 60 km. (Arirang TV)

0735KST: Today the weather is not promising any improvement, it’s expected

fog, strong wind, high waves and rain.

0722KST: The divers are taking in consideration the usage of a compact explosive to speed up the operation and access the most difficult parts of the vessel, but since they fear that the bodies might get damaged they will use this method only with the consent of the parents’ victims. (Source)

0710KST: The Mokpo Coast Guard raided, suspecting officers in neglecting duties by asking a student (the first one to make the distress call) the coordinates of the ferry losing precious minutes.

0700KST: The divers have completed the search in 35 cabins out of the 65 that are under the search plan.

0410KST: The distribution of bodies inside the vessel was announced.(Source)

28th April

2301KST: Footage of students for initial 15 minutes were made public(with limited extent) It showed that students were initially not frightened but their trials to get up to the uppermost deck was blocked by announcement.(Source)

Today: Gov’t banned the standing ticket for local rapid bus(on highway), intercity bus, and every train, causing major confusion. Many schools are canceling excursion program(incl. overseas) and stopped ‘hazardous’ activities(such as giving out snacks).

1924KST: It is revealed that the passengers of MV Sewol also contacted via other emergency service number other than 119(Fire department), such as 112(Police department) and 122(Coast guard). This contradicts with previous reports. (YTN)

1915KST: The New Politics Alliance for Democracy(NPAD), the opposition party, decided to hand in resolution for MV Sewol disaster tomorrow.(YTN)

1546KST: Despite of terrible weather, one body discovered at the deck 4 of the ship. (Source)

1155KST: Prosecutor’s office raided Jeju VTS, as well as Jindo VTS.

1000KST: Prime minister, Hongwon Jung, announces that he is resigning and taking responsibility for the government’s handling. The opposition party condemns the act as irresponsible. (Source)

0000KST: It is expected that the weather is not good for rescue operation. Weather advisory(wind, wave) is applied to Jindo area

27th April

2134KST: 64 CCTVs were installed inside the ship, offering a novel method of investigation(Source)

2050KST: Ministry of Ocean and Fisheries decided to deprive Korea Shipping Association the right to inspect the ships. (Source)

2002KST: Further Rescue hindered by fallen off objects such as blankets, making search operation impossible for left side of the ship. (Source)

1832KST: Crews of MV Sewol reported that they didn’t know that students were aboard the ship. They also never received safety education.(Source)

1426KST: Rescue Operation halted because of bad weather. (Source)

1410KST: The 15 crew members that abandoned the ferry were charged with negligent homicide, while the last 4 have been detained. (Source)

1220KST: Head of Korea Shipping Association resigned, citing failure to inspect the MV Sewol properly. (Source-JTBC Twitter)

1219KST: Severe distrust of families to coast guard continues. It is reported that the coast guard is bluffing their activities (2 recovered->5 recovered, bell never installed -> tried to install) (Source-Twitter from a journalist on site)

1105KST: Frictions between Rescue team and families continues due to delays on the diving bell. (Source)

1100KST: Diving bell from Jong-in Lee(Alpha Marine Co.) returned to the port. The attempts to use it failed due to tangling with the anchor of the barge and the weather.

0958KST: There are 207 ships, 37 aircrafts and 100 divers right now proceeding with the rescue operation.

0906KST: Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries banned any further modification of ships to increase the size of vessels. (Source)

0837KST: Crews abandoned the passengers even though cabin was just 7m away from the escape route. This contrasts with the account of crews. (Source)

0203KST: 2 bodies discovered at the cafeteria of the vessel, making the death toll 187. (Source)

26th April

2200KST: Korea Shipping Association Incheon Branch shredded and discarded paperworks related to MV Sewol (JTBC News9 Exclusive)

2130KST: Questions arise for Undine Marine Industries, contracted by Korea Coast Guard for the rescue operation, despite their lack of experience in underwater rescue(they are specialized in sea salvage operation). (Source)

2100KST: It is planned that Diving Bell from Jong-in Lee will be dispatched to the site.

1932KST: Divers have discovered a cabin on the stern side of the ship with 48 bodies, but have had problems recovering them. (Confirmed by Headquarter)

1739KST: Rescue/Search Operation is complete for 34-35 sites among 111 chambers to be searched. (Source)

1709KST: Jong-in Lee, an expert in underwater rescue, joins the rescue operation. (See 1140KST, 24th April 2210KST, 22th April 0835KST Update)

1525KST: Two more bodies found, each in stern central floor room and nearby ocean. Death Toll risen to 185.

1327KST: Sister ship of MV Sewol, MV Ohamana’s emergency devices were faulty.(Source)

1307KST: A female body is found on 4th floor. The total number of body found is 182 now (JTBC Breaking News).

1140KST: Jong-in Lee left the port with diving bell, but without media, GObalnews, and missing passenger's family (Source).

1050KST: Korea Coast Guard requested the independent media, GOBalnews, to leave from the barge boat with diving bell (Source).

1000KST: The rescue team is getting ready to use the diving bell.

0421KST: It is revealed that MV Sewol was prone to overloading. Among 158 runs in Korea, overloading occurred 157 times. (Source)

0001KST: A diver through the radio connection said that they will be able to continue with the rescue operation for another 3-4 hrs due to the strong currents and bad weather conditions.

25th April

2210KST: Korea Coast Guard requested Jong-in Lee, head of Alpha Sea Rescue Co.(알파잠수기술공사) and an expert in underwater rescue, to use his diving bell. Despite his request to participate in the rescue operation, He was previously continuously rejected by Coast Guard and Navy. He previously participated in major maritime disasters, such as corvette Cheonan sinking in 2010. This is done by family’s request. (JTBC breaking news)

2206KST: Due to unregistered truck drivers inside the vessel, the number of passengers may reach 500 (Source)

2200KST: Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education under severe criticism due to the announcement to recruit new teachers in Danwon HS. The post included that of missing teachers. Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education had been under heavy attack due to false SMS indicating that every students and teachers were rescued.(JTBC News 9)

2145KST: The church of savorists denied alleged connection with Chonghaejin Marine Company. However, Prosecutor’s Office and IRS is currently investigating the connection. (JTBC News 9)

2140KST: [Breaking] Korea Coast Guard decided to allow civilian divers to access the site. (JTBC News 9)

2130KST: Footage of radar data at Jindo VTS was revealed, showing that the strange movement MV Sewol was clearly detectable. Jindo VTS responded that they were busy because of possible collision between a fishing boat and a merchant boat. (Source)

2130KST: Prosecutor’s Office raided MV Ohamana, the sister ship of MV Sewol. They are also going to investigate Coast Guard. (JTBC News 9)

2124KST: It is revealed that 10 minutes were wasted by Mokpo Coast Guard while writing a paper request to Jindo VTS. Emergency Communication System, created to alert other organizations without paperwork was not used. (JTBC News 9)

2120KST: It is revealed that dozen helicopters dispatched from Korea Fire Department were rejected by Coast Guard, only to be returned to their base at 1700KST at 16th April. (JTBC News 9)

2110KST: It is revealed that rescue operation halted for 8 hours at 23th April to change the barge. This was done yesterday, when the condition is the best. (JTBC News 9)

2100KST: It is revealed that the coast guard overstated the number of divers. They included civilian divers, who were not allowed to enter the site. Family of missing are severely criticizing the rescue operation.

2030KST: Another 4 female bodies have been recovered, Death toll up to 175.

1949KST: Angry parents and family members gathered at the GOV Jindo Emergency HQ demanding the immediate search of the resting missing passengers.

1720KST: Samsung Electronics decided to repair and restore the data of the passengers’ mobile for free.

1515KST: Many rescued students have been cleared for release from hospital, however they have decided to stay and support each other until they are all ready for release.

1338KST: It is revealed that the navy fabricated interview of divers. They urged divers to describe underwater status worse than actual condition.(Link)

1319KST: UDT/SEAL Veteran Association made a public statement that Coast Guard was extremely incompetent in the rescue operation. This statement is made because of Coast Guard stated that the civilian divers were too incompetent to participate in the rescue operation.(Source)

1218KST: There were recovered 3 out of the 4 bodies of Chinese passengers.

1156KST: It is revealed that some of the rooms inhabited by students were overcrowded, despite the vessel was half full. (Source)

1116KST: There are now 32 aircrafts and 260 ships on the rescue operation.

1058KST: Mother of Jiyeon Kwon(6)(Korean-Vietnamese) discovered dead inside the vessel. Link

1044KST: KR SeaTrust, the inspector of MV Sewol raided by prosecutor’s office. (Source)

1000KST: Due to a clash in perspectives on how to best perform this recovery operation between navy and private divers, the government has barred private diving for the past hour. Coast guard has claimed this is from the request of families.

0930KST: Maritime law has been revised since the accident so that only the captain of first mate are permitted to steer a ship of over 6,000 tons.

0831KST: First reporter of the accident discovered dead inside the deck 4 of the ship. He contacted national emergency call center(119), only to be inquired about the latitude/longitude of the ship before the coast guard realised he was not a member of the boat’s crew.

0808KST: Searching at the central floor room at deck 4 began. It was exclusively used by Danwon High students.

0215KST: Body count now 159. Recovery operations have begun on the 5th floor.

0130KST: The Korean Government has begun contemplating a scheme whereby families affected by this tragedy may be compensated up to 26mil Won (~$26,000) in addition to insurance payments.

24th April

2230KST: Divers say there are no remaining air pockets in the ship.

2155KST: 10 rescue divers have been hospitalised with decompression sickness. As mentioned before this rarely results in permanent injuries. Decompression sickness results from dissolved gas in the body bubbling in high pressure. The severity of the injury depends on where in the body these bubbles form, but in the majority of cases they form in the joints, which heal slowly with time and oxygen.

2144KST: Another body has been recovered. The death toll is 157.

2002KST: 6 more bodies discovered, raising the death toll to 156.

1845KST: North Korea has sent their condolences after the Sewol Ferry Disaster.  

1815KST: The search has been resumed after having been halted at roughly 1000KST this morning.

1620KST: Parents plan to rent a boat and inquire as to why the search has been paused for so long. No official word but presumably due to strong currents.

1410KST: The resuming of recovery operations have been postponed to 1530KST

1400KST: Another body misidentified, making the total misidentification count to 3 (Source)

1357KST: House of Rev. Byeongeon Yoo, actual owner of Cheonghaejin Marine Co. and leader of a cult religion(savorist-구원파) raided by prosecutor’s office. (JTBC).

1320KST: Once again recovery efforts have been temporarily stopped until 3pm.

1250KST: The criminal investigation has been extended and the home of the owner of the ship has been searched.

1205KST: No bodies remain in the cafeteria area. Divers are concentrating on the 4th floor.

1154KST: Death toll rose to 150. 27 bodies discovered today all of which have been identified as students, and discovered in the stern.

About the loss of document on 23rd April 2014

Due to technical difficulties, the document previously being edited was inaccessible from approximately 1100KST, 23rd April. We had the backup until 21st April, and thankfully a reader provided backup until 0500KST, 23rd April. We are deeply sorry for your inconvenience :(

0900KST: Optimal weather is expected today, recovery efforts should be in full force.

0515KST: The first emergency call made by those on Sewol was discovered to that from one of the students. On 0852KST, 16th April, one male student called emergency services saying that the ship is sinking. He stated, “we were going to Jeju Island but it seems like the ship is sinking. Should I give my phone to a teacher to talk to you?” This call was made 3 minutes before Sewol first contacted Jindo VTS. Link

0510KST: At least 4 people have been arrested on charges of spreading false rumors or mocking victims of the ferry disaster, according to police on Tuesday. One included a 31 year­s old man that criticized the government-­led rescue operations and also posed as a civilian diver who was on scene. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said that the man had no scuba diving license and tried to destroy evidence of his postings during investigations. Another was an 18 years ­old high school student that insulted the victims and the families of the missing in 9 different postings on Facebook and Kakao Story. Another was a 28 year­old man that posted sexually perverse comments about some of the missing female students and teachers. The police are continuing to track down those who are posting false information or obscenities about the victims and their families. This is in addition to Hong Ga Hye (see 0830KST Update on the 22nd)

0500KST: Ahead of U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to South Korea later this week, the Pentagon on Monday said it is sending a salvage ship, USS Safeguard, toward the peninsula from Thailand in case it is needed. On the other hand, USS Bonhomme Richard, which was dispatched to the scene shortly after the accident, departed late Tuesday after completing its one ­week mission. The cranes on the scene are on standby as salvage operations can only begin at the consent of the families of the  missing.

0210KST: Recovery efforts  have been resumed. After a two hour break due to poor weather.

23rd of April

2349KST: After the ROVs failed due to heavy seas the recovery operation has begun using a machine known as ‘Crabster’. This machine has sonar, acoustic doppler current profiler, six cameras facing all directions, and grasping capabilities. This machine was developed in Korea for precisely this purpose (salvage operations in areas with heavy currents) and detailed mapping of the sea floor. More details are available here. This is the first time it has been used in the field, ahead of its planned maiden voyage in mid May.

2342KST: Due to heavy seas the recovery operation has been called off temporarily.

2330KST: Another diver has been hospitalised due to decompression sickness (the bends) this injury is rarely life threatening. 

2230KST: One SEAL diver has been paralyzed. Currently there are 8  guidelines installed to help with access to the ferry. Families of the dead requesting autopsies to confirm the time of death (See 0630KST Update). Misidentification of bodies has caused issues in the planning of funerals for the recovered bodies.

2147KST: Jindo VTS explained that they didn’t contact MV Sewol but they were monitoring the ship’s movement because there weren’t any hazards or possible collision danger. This is violation of rules, because VTS are required to contact all vessels once the vessel is inside their area.(Source)

2030KST: Civilian Divers withdraw from the scene, citing verbal violence from coast guard and extremely limited opportunities to help(Source). Wired air breathing devices are not permitted use by civilian divers, which is cited as another reason for the withdrawal.

1905KST: The highest point of the ship is now submerged 20m

1351KST: JTBC is showing an updated count of 108 bodies recovered.

1332KST: LIVE STREAM of Gymnasium closed, due to privacy of families and pressure from government. Ustreamer is summoned by police cyberterrorism unit.

1301KST: A large fishing ship is due to arrive this afternoon, equipped with underwater floodlights

1255KST: Divers plan to search the dining room for the rest of the day, experts suggest that there will be many bodies in that area.

1230KST: The unmanned robotic searching devices have been ineffective due to the low visibility underwater.

1205KST: The duration of recovery guides have been increased to 20­-30min

1154KST: One of the foreigner’s bodies cannot be matched with the passenger manifest. (He had the identification card written LI XIANG HAO, but not on the list) Source

1043KST: Another body found in the stern part of the ship.

0930KST: 17 bodies recovered.

0835KST: JTBC is accused by KCC(Korea Communication Commission) to spread rumors and confuse rescue operation by broadcasting an interview with Mr. Jong­in Lee, an expert in sea salvage operation, and disagrees with current rescue strategy. JTBC may be subject to detentions if the accusation is passed.(Source)

0630KST: Parents plan on holding the government responsible if the cause of death for any of their children turns out to be hypothermia or asphyxiation (as opposed to drowning). Link

0050KST: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of the United States pledged to sent analysts to aid in the investigation of the accident if requested by South Korean government.

0000KST: Ministry of Education decided to cancel all school excursions, including, not limited to travelling to Jeju indefinitely.

22nd of April

2347KST: AIS (Automatic Identification System) data of Sewol recovered. Unlike previous reports, the ship did not make that sharp of a turn as previously reported. The ship turned 45 degrees, resulting in more of a “J­shaped” loop(image) instead of a very sharp “L­shaped” turn of 115 degrees. Source

2303KST: Divers searched deck 3 and 4 in the afternoon. A total of 23 bodies discovered, including 3 foreigners(2 chinese and 1 russian). Source

1400KST: At 1140KST, one of the engineers (59 year old, surname Son) that was on the Sewol ferry attempted suicide. Mr. Son had undergone interrogations late into the evening and additional interrogations were planned for today. Mr. Son left the motel room where he and other co­workers were staying, locked himself in a separate room, and attempted to hang himself. His co­workers and the motel staff called 119 (emergency hotline) and the emergency responders managed to save him. Thankfully, he has no life­-threatening injuries.

1317KST: Second son of Mong­jun Jeong (a congressman, the owner of Hyundai Heavy Industrial Group, and Seoul Mayor candidate) lambasted the families of missing on Facebook. He characterized the families as uncivilized barbarians for yelling, screaming, cursing, and throwing water at the Prime Minister, going on to say that “the people are what makes a nation and if the people are barbaric, wouldn’t the nation be just as barbaric?” Mr. Jeong apologized on behalf of his son but the public’s anger is growing as the controversy is spreading through social media. See Link

1300KST: Four additional crew members have been detained for failing to protect passengers.

1245KST: Diving efforts are currently twenty divers in teams of two for each of the ten guidelines, rotating every 15min. A special crew of three from the Netherlands is going to join the team soon. The coast guard has requested help from specialist teams in China and Japan as well. China has pledged two cranes and barges, and Japan is offering expert advice currently.

1230KST: With a security line installed this morning, the rescue divers managed to enter the dining hall of the boat within an hour.

0830KST: It is reported that mythomanic/serial imposter Hong Ga Hye turned herself in to the police around 2000KST on the 20th. An arrest warrant had been issued following her fake interview with MBN on the 18th, where she falsely claimed to be a civilian diver and stated, “Government officials prevented [me] from diving and said to just fill in time and go. Survivors inside the ship have been discovered. Rescue workers told families of the missing that there was no hope.” Immediately after the interview, she had gone completely under the radar. She stated psychological stress as the reason for turning herself in. She is also known for pretending to be former T­-ara member Hwayoung’s cousin, publicly denounced the group in  2012 during the bullying controversy, effectively halting the popular Kpop group’s activities single­handedly. She is not related at all to Hwayoung. She also pretended to be a Tokyo resident during the 2011 Fukushima disaster during an MBC news interview. She is also infamous for starting dating rumors about various baseball athletes, claiming that she had dated several of them and had gotten pregnant.

0645KST: Another three female bodies recovered. Believed to be students. This body found in a different section of the same floor as the ones found at 0545KST. Water currents are slow at this time of day so efforts are very concentrated, including 200+ ships, 30+ aircraft, 500+ divers. Link

0545KST: 2 female bodies recovered one after another. Death toll rises to 61. Link

0424KST: 2 US ROVs (remotely-­operated vehicles) had arrived in Jindo County on the 20th sometime in the afternoon. 3 experts from Dutch company SMT will arrive in the afternoon of the 21st. It is expected that the Coast Guard will request 2 barges and 2 cranes from China. The barges and the cranes will be used during the salvage operations following the rescue operations. The Coast Guard also requested for the Japanese manufacturers of Sewol to assist with the planning of the operations. Link

0311KST: The electricity and the engine shut off immediately after the sharp turn and tilting, making it impossible to alleviate the tilting by any means.

0020KST: Another female body recovered, believed to be a student. The victim was wearing a life jacket. Death toll to 59.

21st of April

2020KST: During a memorial service, a pastor who had witnessed the cleaning and shrouding of the bodies said, “how much have the children scrapped at the walls while trapped in the ship that their fingernails have all fallen off.” The chapel broke out in tears. Link

2015KST: There has been no contact with the original captain since the accident and his whereabouts are currently unknown.

1900KST: They are beginning to tighten up security at the Jindo gymnasium due to various personal items being stolen and restricting access to those who are not family members, media, or organisers. 1840KST: The government has officially designated Ansan City and Jindo County as special disaster zones, allowing less red tape in the rescue effort and more budget allocated to the disaster. Government will officially cover at least 80% of the costs from this rescue and recovery operation. Link

1749KST: Two more male bodies recovered. Death toll currently stands at 58.

1540KST: Summary of communications between Sewol and Jindo VTS (Vessel Traffic Service): Survivors report that the accident occurred 0858KST. Communications between Sewol and Jindo VTS began 0906KST. When asked about the situation at 0910KST, Sewol replied that the angle of the tilt is so great that it is very difficult to move. Shortly after, Jindo VTS received communications from a nearby ship which reported that it is too dangerous to advance towards Sewol as it is severely leaning on its left side.

At 0917KST, Sewol contacted VTS stating the ship is leaning more than 60 degrees, making it difficult to move. The crew members on the bridge are huddled together unable to move at all. Also requested for rescuers to come more quickly.

At 0923KST, Sewol notified VTS that it is unable to make announcements on PA system.

Sewol did not respond to VTS at 0945KST. A captain of a nearby ship  monitoring the situation at that time reports hearing Jindo VTS saying that Sewol’s AIS disappeared, most likely from it capsizing completely. Captain states that Sewol was completely flipped over by then.

1535KST: Recordings of the calls between Sewol and Jindo VTS (Vessel Traffic Service) confirm the preliminary reports of the ferry tilting rapidly within 10 minutes. Within 10 minutes of the accident, it was impossible for many of passengers to evacuate given the ship’s orientation. Link

1540KST: Summary of communications between Sewol and Jindo VTS:

Survivors report that the accident occurred 0858KST.

Communications between Sewol and Jindo VTS began 0906KST.

When asked about the situation at 0910KST, Sewol replied that the angle of the tilt is so great that it is very difficult to move.

Shortly after, Jindo VTS received communications from a nearby ship which reported that it is too dangerous to advance towards Sewol as it is severely leaning on its left side.

At 0917KST, Sewol contacted VTS stating the ship is leaning more than 50 degrees, making it difficult to move. The crew members on the bridge are huddled together unable to move at all. Also requested for rescuers to come more quickly.

At 0923KST, Sewol notified VTS that it is unable to make announcements on PA system.

Sewol did not respond to VTS at 0945KST. A captain of a nearby ship monitoring the situation at that time reports hearing Jindo VTS saying that Sewol’s AIS disappeared, most likely from it capsizing completely. Captain states that Sewol was completely flipped over by then.

1535KST: Recordings of the calls between Sewol and Jindo VTS confirm the preliminary reports of the ferry tilting rapidly within 10 minutes. Within 10 minutes of the accident, it was impossible for many of passengers to evacuate given the ship’s orientation. Link 

1530KST: Joint Investigation Headquarters (합동수사본부 / 합수부) also revealing that crew members had not undergone safety training Link and have enacted travel bans for 30~40 people (to prevent fleeing overseas). Link

1501KST: Investigations also reveal that Sewol communicated with Jindo Coast Guard VTS for a total of 31 minutes. Jindo VTS also revealed to have ordered ships in the vicinity 11 different times to deploy and throw various evacuation equipment overboard at the site of the accident. Recordings of the transmissions released to the media after announcements.

1500KST: Investigations reveal that the crew of Sewol began evacuation at 0937 KST. Accident had occurred at 0848, ferry was tilted 50 degrees at 0917, rescue ships arrived roughly around 0930, first helicopter arriving 0945, decks completely submerging 1023 KST.

1422KST: 560+ divers using 5 different guidelines have been operating since early morning. The methodology of the operations is very similar to previous days. Teams of divers are extending their searches inside the ferry. Water currents are so rapid that the divers’ goggles and oxygen masks are getting ripped off.

1421KST: 2 bodies recovered. Death toll rises to 56.

1400KST: 2 bodies recovered. Death toll rises to 54. Link

1300KST: 2 bodies recovered (1 male, 1 female). Death toll rises to 52. Link

1237KST: Media continuing to set up cameras in the gymnasium for the briefing by Prime Minister. Seems like at least some of the family members who had set out are returning.

1147KST: A navy sailor who aided in the rescue effort died due to an accident. On the 16th, a sailor working on a cargo lift sustained injuries to the head, rendering him unconscious. Navy spokesperson announced the sailor passed away last night. Link (Initial reports stated the 15th but a few sources revised it to be the 16th. Some reports also say that it’s 17th. Funeral was done in 21st.)

1140KST: 50th body discovered (Link)

1058KST: The Ustream (wing365ch2) of the gymnasium works. Just a heads up.

1038KST: The family members that set out for the Blue House are returning back to the gymnasium. A briefing with Prime Minister Hong-won Jeong is planned. (YTN)

0920KST: “Experts say there is a likelihood that air pockets have collapsed due to number of bodies in recent hours. But also says that's worst case.”

0910KST: 3 additional bodies (all male) found according to preliminary reports. Death toll: 49. All confirmed to be Danwon HS students.

0905KST: Families, police, media all on standby as they try to contact the Prime Minister.

0835KST: The 10 bodies (8 male, 2 female) recovered an hour ago were recovered from inside the cargo hold (source, source 2). A total of 13 bodies found today, including the 3 (1 male, 2 female) found around midnight.

There is a lull in tensions between the family members and the police. Family members demanding the President to visit or for the Prime Minister (who had left in the morning) to return if President cannot make the trip. They also want a spokesperson for the head of the police agency to come.

0830KST: Media beginning to publish articles about the situation. #1, #2, etc

0820KST: Tensions simmered. The police and the family members are negotiating. Police does not want them to continue walking on the road, for obvious safety reasons. Representatives of the families saying that they were only walking on pedestrian sidewalks.

0800KST: Tensions rise as members of group get more physical, some chanting that the government are murderers. The media is flocked to the scene, making things a bit more crowded. Pic Police is blocking mountain trails (pic), forced to push back the advancing families. One family member injured as a result. pic

0745KST: It is unclear what the families will do next as they are working out different options. The majority of those still at gymnasium wishing to stay put while a few wish to join the group on the bridge. Different viewpoints popping up within the group on the bridge. It is unclear what they can achieve if they do indeed decide to continue. Many of the family members are ill-prepared for the long walk if unable to secure transportation. Pic

0737KST: Multiple reports that 10 additional bodies have been recovered. Confirmed. Death toll now 46.

0728KST: No changes to situation an Jindo Bridge. Various media sources reporting this as well. ~200 family members. (rough estimate)

0634KST: Frontrunner group of parents blocked by police line. Pic There’s a lot of mistrust of government but I don’t feel like delving into the speculation/conspiracy. There may be a motive behind the police but there is one thing for certain. Simply walking to Seoul on roads meant for vehicles is a safety concern, which is most certainly one of the reasons the police is blocking the path. Pic #2, #3, #4

0605KST: About 100(?) of the group presently walking in the direction of Seoul. Various media trying to catch up to this group. Previous reports stated a group of 70 were planning on taking 2 buses to Seoul. However, as buses weren’t coming, they had decided to walk.  Prime Minister has managed to leave after blockade by parents opened up. Parents suspect plainclothes law enforcement/security. Prime Minister did not respond to those allegations.

0550KST: Weather report: Cloudy with small chance of rain in the morning. Rain expected to end by noon. There may be fog. Lows between 5~11 degrees, highs between 15~22, similar to yesterday. Waves expected to be high.

0530KST: The third mate Park (26 year old, female) who was at the helm of the ship at the time of the accident was found to be following normal procedures. While it was her first time steering the ship on the route from Incheon to Jeju, other surviving crew members testified that she had been at the helm multiple times on return routes going back to Incheon. The investigation maintains that the third mate turned the ship too sharply without decelerating. The third mate has been unable to testify due to panic attacks, fainting at least once during interrogations. The captain had been admitted to the hospital in-between investigations for injuries sustained during evacuation. Source

0520KST: Prime minister requests families to not travel to the Blue House. Parents are ignoring this advice and are planning to travel there via public transportation. The families are stating that only the President can solve this issue, hence their willingness to travel to the Blue House. The standoff between the families and the police is ongoing for over 3 hours. The families had left the gymnasium around 0200KST. (Source)

0500KST: Police now holding back the parents.(Twitter from reporter another)

0448KST: Bus arrived from Ansan to take parents to Seoul. (Source-twitter from reporter)

0348KST: Here are some real-time sources. (note that these sources can be unreliable)

https://twitter.com/dlrpejr : reporter Gye-deok Lee(from Shinmoongo) twitter (but also an activist)

https://www.facebook.com/jaeyangs : Jae-yang Lee’s facebook

http://m.afree.ca/vip00112 : Afreeca(Ustream of Korea) real time feed.

https://twitter.com/josungkim : Freelance English-Korean reporter.

https://twitter.com/hohocho: Freelance English-Korean reporter.

0240KST: Families of the missing moved to outside of gymnasium. Currently Prime Minister Hong-won Jeong is dealing with families.

0220KST: Police bus blocking access to Jindo Gymnasium. Officials frantically persuades the families to stop, saying “Rescuing of 30 missing seems to be possible”(Link)(Video)

0202KST: Families of missing and Police are confronting currently at Jindo gymnasium. (Imgur) 300 policemen are now stopping families to head to Blue House (Korea’s White House equivalent)(Link)

0146KST: Some of the family of missing demands to begin salvage operation. (Link)

0115KST: Reports that the death toll has risen to 39 are false and have been redacted. 36 Bodies have been recovered at present.

0053KST: Familes-Government relationship sours even more, saying nobody is taking responsibilities and media is giving false information. Even rumors that air pockets are actually fuel tanks are spreading.(Link)

0053KST: Divers are saying that while exploring they attempt to use airpockets. This confirms that there are air pockets in the ship, however for there to be survivors still the air pocket would need to be large enough for the people to escape the water and have a source of freshwater for drinking. We all hope that there  may be some real survival stories being revealed soon.

0035KST: Divers break through a window in the 4th floor where bodies were seen. They recovered three bodies. The body count is now 36 and they are being identified currently.

0021KST: Missing families tried to go to Blue House (presidential residence), only to be stopped by undercover police officers(Link) This means that undercover police officers are monitoring families.

20th of April

2325KST: Officials have registered the DNA of 90% of missing persons.

2300KST: Parent: "We pooled money the first day and rented a boat and there were barely any rescue operations happening."..."You have to know that what broadcasts are showing isn't close to the real picture"... "They said that divers spend 15 minutes under water but after subtracting the in/out time, they really only spend 5 minutes." In regards to this last quote, the reasoning brought up for the divers spending so little time underwater is the necessary weight of their oxygen tanks, larger tanks have apparently been deemed too dangerous to dive in.

2220KST: Three of the four bodies recovered today belong to high school students.

2203KST: Authorities say people are most likely in the top three levels (3rd, 4th and 5th), no mention of whether they refer to bodies or survivors. Probably both. There have been no searches on the upper two floors and the 3rd level has not been properly searched.

2120KST: The coast guard to bring in several squid fishing boats to aid the search tonight. Squid fisheries work by attracting the squid to an extremely powerful underwater light, so the boats will help illuminate.

2005KST: A further body has been recovered, raising the death count to 33

1930KST: Body toll has risen to 32 people the scope of the operation is slowly transitioning into recovery, although rescue is still its main aim currently.

1910KST: Gas leak in the ship has become a serious problem

 > No updaters online between these two updates.<

1655KST: Female body found at sea 10m from capsized ferry, bringing death toll to 30. The deceased was wearing a life jacket.

1445KST: One civilian diver injured while docking. While two coast guard ships were docking, a line connecting the two ship snapped, injuring the right eye of a civilian diver. The diver has been admitted to a hospital.

1249KST: The ship has reported to have tilted roughly 10o creating fears for some air pockets that may have been dissipated.

1243KST: Oil slick is reported to be affecting rescue operations.

1239KST: Captain says he instructed passengers to remain inside due to the fact that there were no rescue boats arriving at the time.

1235KST: The captain of the ship says that the accident happened while he stepped away from the helm to go to his room. He says he was not intoxicated.

1205KST: No visible damage to the hull of the ship. The top of the ship, due to deepening water, is now submerged 10m.

1148KST: South Korea’s Prime Minister apologised for the troubling outlook of this disaster, “We will fix the current system ASAP.”

1138KST: Parents are about to show unedited footage of the accident site but are telling the media to turn off cameras and not upload to internet. Parent doesn’t want footage to be air/released before 1400KST.  Ustream is allowed to broadcast.

1130KST: Briefing by hospital staff warning that severe depression is a ‘large chance’ for many students being treated.

1100KST: According to an article posted 0930KST, the police are planning on expanding their investigation by summoning 10 additional crew members for interrogation. 3 crew members, including the captain, had been arrested yesterday.

1040KST: Gas is reported to be leaking from the accident site, which is a major problem regardless of whether the gas is oxygen as it could alter the internal pressure of the ship.

1030KST: “652 Divers have been in the water more than 40 times so far today” Coast Guard.

1010KST: There was an official briefing. Almost everything said was already reported previously by the media. There are 652 divers operating shifts, 169 ships, 28 aircraft. 30+ dives since 0500 KST. Oil continues to leak from the ferry. The oil slick is moving northwest due to currents. Oil slick is 300m in diameter(?) and 10m deep. 23 ships are deployed to clean up the oil slick. The leaking oil adds another wrinkle as it worsens underwater visibility. 40+ dives planned to continue opening up passageways around the 3rd and 4th floors. On the surface, waves are low and wind speeds are low, ideal conditions for operations. However, water currents are still strong at this time of day. Very low visibility and debris blocking passageways are hampering efforts. DNA tests of the family members of the missing have been undergoing since yesterday to expedite the process of identifying bodies later on.

0850KST: The 3 bodies were discovered as the divers peered into the 4th floor through a window while they were in the stairway between the 3rd and 4th floors. The 3 bodies were wearing life jackets. Because the water currents change directions four times a day, the coast guard have started to install nets in the area for bodies that may be drifting in the water.

Divers will concentrate their efforts at 1110 KST and 1700 KST, when the water currents are expected to die down.

0740KST: Civilian divers discover 3 bodies in 4th floor area. Diver attempted to recover the bodies by breaking the windows but failed. This occurred between 0556 KST to 0617 KST. Operations are still underway to recover those bodies. Confirmed by Coast Guard.

0730KST: Divers reached 4th floor area and are attempting to enter. Previous diver teams attempted to enter by breaking the windows but failed. This current diver team is trying to find an alternative route.

0700KST: 35 divers currently reattempting to enter 3rd floor area. Last night, divers had succeeded in getting to the door but were unable to actually enter the rooms. Civilian divers reporting that visibility is so poor underwater that one can’t see their own hands if arms are fully extended. Also, it is very difficult to navigate more than 7 meters below sea level. USS Bonhomme Richard is aiding the South Koreans, deploying two Chinook helicopters.

0618KST: Fair number of parents/relatives in gymnasium are waking up. I expect updates to start coming in in the next 2-3 hours.

0605KST: Korean police has contacted Facebook headquarters in the US to aid in the tracking and identification of those circulating fake SNS posts. All SNS posts that were allegedly sent by trapped survivors were determined to be fake by Korea’s Cyber Terror Response Center. The Korean police plans on charging everyone involved in the creation of the posts, regardless of nationality.

0600KST: Immediately following the discovery of the deceased vice principal, all rescued students were forcibly readmitted to hospitals for psychotherapy, including those who had been released and sent home. There is a bit of a concern regarding emotional trauma, PTSD-like symptoms, survivor’s guilt, etc.

0428KST: Updates are slow, but we’re still here. Live feed shows a bunch of floodlights at the accident site. Operations still ongoing through the night, albeit with limitations.

0318KST: The reason behind reducing the number of rescued from 179 to 174 most likely due to mixing up people with very similar names on the list. There are 4 pairs of people with the same name on the rescue list and 2 pairs with very similar names. Instead of adding just the one of the pair to the list, they had accidently added the names of both in 4 cases.

0223KST: There are multiple charges pressed against the three crew members. There are five charges against the captain, including abandoning of the ship. This is the first time in history that such a charge has been brought up by prosecutors. It is due to a special law (특가법상 도주선박의 선장 등에 대한 가중처벌법) that holds the captain of the ship liable for injuries and deaths of passengers due to negligence in duties. Other charges include manslaughter due to negligence, running ship aground due to negligence, breaking the standards of the “Rescue and Aid at Sea and in the River Act”, and breaking operating standards of the crew. Minimal sentencing is 5 years but the maximum allowed by law for these charges is life imprisonment.

The 3rd officer and the one other crewmember that were responsible for steering the ship at the time of the accident have both been charged with involuntary manslaughter, along with running ship aground due to negligence, breaking the standards of the “Rescue and Aid at Sea and in the River Act”, and dereliction of duty.

0030KST: A female body has been recovered from the water, bringing the total death count up to 29.

From here : April 19th

------------------------------------------------------

April 18th

April 18th 2228KST: Charges for Captain, 3rd Officer and one other crew member have been raised to manslaughter.

2218KST: KBS is reporting that the boat had 476 passengers and they are saying that the rescued has fallen to 174, which was later confirmed by the coast guard.

~Note:~ The reason that the hull of the ship is now submerged is thought to be due to the fact that the ship has moved a rough 12km since sinking with the currents into slightly deeper water.

Also, Coast Guard speculates that nearly 10000t ship causes the muddy floor to sink.

2055KST: Coast guard divers spent 20min trying to breach the hull near the 3rd floor, but this attempt failed, due to strong currents.

2007KST: Suicide note of Vice Principal of Danwon HS discovered in his wallet. “While 200 (students) are dead or alive, it is too much for my strength to live alone.

Give me full responsibility. I was the one who carried forward with the class trip. Cremate my body and spread my ashes near the sunken boat site. In the afterlife, maybe I will be the teacher to the students whose bodies have not been found” (Link)

2001KST: Samsung’s 8000t crane, Korea’s largest is due to arrive on scene tomorrow, being the 5th crane on the scene.

1955KST: Plans are being discussed to inflate 25 35-ton balloons to keep the ship from slipping further into deeper water.

1945KST: Experts are considering the further sinking of the ship as iminent. Some professors say that despite this air-pockets will likely still be there.

1938KST: The coast guard has announced to relatives that another body has been pulled from the water. If confirmed this would bring the count to 29 bodies recovered. No confirmation by major news organisations, probably a false report.

1936KST: There are currently 21 divers in the water, three people taking shifts between 7pm-10pm to explore the 3rd floor cabin.

1926KST: Three people have been charged with an arrest warrant, including the captain and likely the 3rd officer. Many people are also lobbying for a life sentence (with some people saying that all crew members that abandon passengers should be charged).

1914KST: The captain of the ship could face a charge of up to 5 years imprisonment and a 5 million won (~$5000) fine for deserting the ship. There is a possibility of a lifetime imprisonment if he is also charged with manslaughter of the victims.

1909KST: The Central disaster organisation issue a statement saying that they are currently working to verify the names of those bodies recovered. This is possibly related to the DNA tests. The coast guard is apologetic and bowing very deeply.

1906KST: Sunset. :/

1903KST: A press conference is being held now on the 3rd floor(Teacher’s office) of Danwon High School, reporters look concerned.  (현재 3층 교무실에서 기자회견이 있는듯합니다. 기자가 다 몰렸네요)

1901KST: A person in Jindo gymnasium has collapsed and are currently receiving medical treatment. Everyone in the gymnasium looks weary and exhausted.

1840KST: 

1800KST: Relatives in the Jindo gymnasium are being asked to take DNA tests. These have been scheduled for 10am on the 19th. These test are only voluntary.

1750KST: Preliminary reports state that some of the dead were not on the passenger manifest. Unconfirmed as of now. [“사망자 중에 탑승명단에 없는 사람도 있다"(속보)] story carried by JTBC, heraldcorp, mk news, hankooki, and more.

1650KST: Reports of a thin film of oil on the ocean’s surface. This is a secondary concern but with the wreck being near Dadohaehaesang national park, there may be some environmental impacts.

1640KST: Current weather conditions: mist with a visibility of 8km, water temperature of 11.6°C (53°F), wind speeds of 1.7m/s (3.8 mph), effective wave height of 0.6m

1635KST: Divers who entered the ship’s cargo hold resurfaced after 14 minutes of operation. They were successful in opening up a passageway but had to turn back due to the large pile up of shipping containers. They had to resurface shortly after when their guide line broke.

1616KST: KBS confirmation of early eyewitness reports of many bodies in the ship. These reports come from divers on the 2nd floor of the ship, it has been suggested that the vast majority of survivors will be on the 4th floor, where air pockets are most likely. There is some hope for survivors still in the cafeteria area which is on the 3rd floor. (See room marked 식당 on the plan lower in the document).

Coast guard confirmed that the news is wrong.

*1605KST: Vice-Principal (53) of Danwon High School discovered dead (hanging from a tree) near countermeasure center(Jindo Gymnasium). (Confirmed). He was one of the individuals rescued from the ferry. His whereabouts was unknown since 2150KST of the 17th. Suicide note has been found, see 2007KST.

1604KST: Confirmation that there are human rescue teams in the ship, and have been for half an hour, but no survivors have been recovered (yet).

1538KST: Divers are attempting to enter through cargo door of deck number 2(SBS Breaking) Disaster Headquarters have said this attempt was unsuccessful, however the information is mixed.

3 teams were dispatched. Team 1 failed, Team 2(1526KST) partially succeeded, Team 3(1538KST) managed to open door and now inside the boat. (See boat plan further down)

1534KST: [OFFICIAL] Divers failed to get inside the ship. (Link) Air injection must be halted while dives are in progress.

1500KST: It is reported that entering cafeteria area by divers is planned since 1500KST.

1450KST: Hostility is being shown not only to the government and mainstream journalists but also freelance writers who have been told to leave the port by parents.

1448KST:  A fourth Chinese national is among the passenger manifest, being a migrant worker on a H2 Visa.

1434KST: A third Chinese national is revealed to be among the missing, the girl is a high school student.

1427KST: Rain has stopped, hopefully this means that the weather all around is getting better.

1354KST: One of the dead students was determined to have been deceased for only a few minutes at the time of retrieval. This would mean that the student was alive well into the morning. The autopsy was requested by parents.

1307KST: Spokesperson reinforcing the fact that the ship itself is not sinking. The end of the ship has stooped down ever so slightly from the transitions between high and low tides. Because the ship is sitting on solid bedrock, there will be no significant variations in the ship’s position. Tip of hull alternating between being exposed and submerged due to oscillations from waves.

1253KST: Spokesperson on Ustream confirms to the parents that ferry is being submerged due to high waves but the tip of the hull is exposed in-between waves. The ship itself is not sinking as it is sitting on hard bedrock. Spokesperson also clears up misunderstandings about the insertion of air. The purpose is to circulate air for possible survivors, not to make the ship float higher.

1245KST: 2 male bodies found. Current death toll : 28.

1240KST: MV Sewol Completely submerged (not sunken see above).(Link)

1228KST: Ustream briefing showed that air is inserted into cafeteria currently.

1153KST: Divers planned to enter cafeteria area around 1500 KST, says Commissioner General (Kim Suk Kyoon) of Coast Guard.

1142KST: Salvage operation company say that robots are unusable in this environment.(due to fast current)

1129KST: Another body has been recovered, raising the total to 26.

1124KST: Four divers are currently in the cafeteria where it is expected that most survivors will be.(Ustream reporting that guide-line setup will be done this afternoon) A path into the cafeteria was apparently established at 1005.

Ustream indicates that divers are installing guide lines and air bags, but not entered the ship. They say that they will enter 1500KST.

(BUSTED : YTN currently reporting that the news was wrong)

(UPDATE : Divers DID enter the interior, but not cafeteria)

1117KST: It is reported that(KBS source) that air is inserted since 1035KST.(CONFIRMED by coast guard-ustream)

1109KST: It is reported that(YTN source) that entering the ship was successful. However, Livestream indicated that the head of coast guard was not informed about it. Therefore, this is unclear.

1105KST: Air being pumped into the hull is done by connecting a hose to a compressor and injecting it into the ship. This is simulated to have an effect on the rising the ship slightly.

1045KST:         Investigation headquarters claim the captain was not steering the boat at the time of the accident. It is being reported that the 3rd Officer was in control of the ship at the time of the incident. The 3rd Officer in question is a 25 year old female who has only 1 year of experience. The captain may not have been on the bridge.

1042KST: Parent asking how the UDT divers will extract survivors. Divers will bring skinsuits and oxygen tanks for any alive survivors. They will also be pumping air 24/7. The divers also need to keep extending guide-lines and keep expanding the web of guide lines throughout the interior of the ship. This require multiple dives.

1037KST: They are repeating information for the parents. The exposed part of the hull contains air and so does a section on the opposite end (which is completely submerged). If survivors exist, they will most likely be clustered at those two areas. Divers and other rescue operations are focusing on those two areas.

1035KST: A little bit of delay in the briefing as the situation inside the ferry is still ongoing. There will be at least 2 official briefings a day.

1030KST: Rescuers have begun to pump oxygen into the ship once again.

1026KST: They are announcing that there is a high probability of survivors in the exposed section of the hull. The reason it is exposed out of the water is due to air within it. Near the opposite end of the ship, there is also an air pocket. Divers are trying to pump air into those two areas primarily. Previously, divers had failed to enter the inside of the ship in over 20 attempts.

1018KST: Divers have entered into the ship via 1 route but are expected to open up at least 3 different routes in total. Divers have infiltrated into the restaurant with guide lines.   See 1124 KST.

1017KST: The United States, Japan, Australia, and China all voluntarily pledged to send aid whenever requested by South Korea.

1015KST: Actual briefing probably will start in 5-10 minutes. Currently, we can see parents and relatives camping out in the gymnasium where the briefings are held. They are watching live feeds of news outlets and live feeds from from helicopters, ships, etc at the accident site.

1009KST: Divers currently still inside the ship, connecting wires, tubes, etc for the pumping of air. They are waiting for helicopters to get closer to the ship. (They are watching live video feed from helicopter.)

1006KST: I believe that the man was agitated about the fact that civilian divers discovered the students..leading to questions of what the navy/coast guard are doing. Official said that it’s a coordinated effort, the civilian divers are not separate entities in this rescue operation.

1001KST: Looks like they’re almost ready to make announcements. Calming down agitated parents, consolidating information amongst themselves (the officials).

1000KST: A fourth crane is due to arrive around 1300KST.

0954KST: Divers confirm that there are students still alive within ferry. Divers had gotten access into submerged ship as part of the process to pump air into the ship.

0950KST: Coast Guard starting to pump air into the submerged ferry.

0945KST: Official worries that too many rescue divers could fill air pockets with water due to displacement.

0927KST: No signs of life found after 3 additional dives.

0922KST: 18 out of the 25 bodies are identified.

0920KST: Official briefing planned to start 1000KST. http://m.ustream.tv/showup 

0903KST: Nine additional bodies identified. Seven of the bodies were students. Six female bodies (out of the 16) still unidentified.

0858KST: One of the 16 bodies retrieved during the night has been identified as a female student. This brings the total known student deaths to 6. Most of the 16 bodies recovered through the night had been wearing life jackets. They were all floating in the sea, away from the hull. As of now, no survivors or bodies have been retrieved directly from the submerged ship. The 15 unidentified bodies include 8 females and 7 males. One female and one male both thought to be in their sixties. They are confirming identities via DNA testing.

0829KST: Due to rain and the high tide, only 1 meter of the hull is exposed. The previous day, the hull was exposed 2~3 meters above water at high tide, with 20~30 meters exposed lengthwise due to the angle of the capsized ship.

0810KST: Robots (remotely operated underwater vehicles) deployed by Coast Guard are being used to aid the 500+ divers on site. Divers had been hampered by strong water currents (7~11 m/s), poor visibility (15-30 cm), and poor weather. Divers are unable to infiltrate deep into the capsized ship. The robots are being used to get access into the cabins, where the divers had failed to do so. So far, all of the cabins checked by divers were completely submerged and contained no bodies.

0807KST: Two of three floating cranes reaches accident site. The 3600 ton crane that arrived was also used during the Cheonan incident. Third crane expected to arrive around 1600KST. Floating docks are also being deployed. The 1200 ton Cheonan took 1 month to raise. This ferry is 5x heavier at 6800 tons. Installing the chains is expected to take 1 month due to the fast water currents typical of the area.

0724KST: UNCONFIRMED: Rescuers have extracted 10 people (all students) from the capsized ferry. If true, total rescued increases to 189. These 10 people are the first to be rescued from the already-capsized ferry. (This news was relayed to reporters and parents but no official announcement yet) Source (In Korean) This has not been reported yet on KBS or YTN. The article seems to indicate that the journalist was told from a parent who was told from a journalist. 

0658KST:  Of the 475 passengers, 325 were students, of the 25 recovered bodies only 6 have been identified as students, however 17 bodies remain unidentified. Only 75 of the 179 rescued are students, and 244 of the 271 missing people are students. Reasons for this lower rescue  rate for students is currently unknown though there is speculation that it is likely due to the rigid obedience of students.

0638KST: Winds forecast to stay below 14kmh for the rest of the day. Yesterday’s winds were occasionally sustained at 50kmh. There is expected to be less than 5mm of rain today. Current water temperature is 12.6c, roughly one degree warmer than yesterday.

~~Note 0627KST:~~ I have attempted to avoid speculation over the cause of this incident until more is known, however it is likely that the cause is due to a sharp turn before any water intake. This turn has been confirmed by rescued individuals and the ship’s GPS data. It is thought that this turn shifted vehicles and cargo sufficiently enough to throw the ship’s balance.  Early reports of the ship running aground on a reef have been discounted after surveys of the ocean’s floor. The reason for this turn is currently unknown (?).

0623KST: The government has begun to build a prosecution case with reports of the prosecution office confiscating documents from the Chonghaejin [company who owns the ferry] offices. Captain is under investigation and the company may be as well.

0617KST: Local government policy stating that no more than 100 students can be taken on school trips was violated. Apparently Danwon High School is liable for penalties.

0612KST: Recent reports suggest that the captain of the ferry could be criminally charged on the basis that he did not fulfil his contractual obligation to remain on the ship until the last passenger had left.

0602KST: The arrival of the first crane has been delayed slightly and it is now due to arrive on scene at roughly 8am local time. This is reported to be due to stronger than expected tidal currents.

0538KST: Frustrations are growing in families of passengers in both the Government and traditional Korean media organisations.

0504KST: Although rainfall continues in the search area there are reports that both wind and current strength has died down. Wind levels at 4am were 5km/h compared to 34km/h at 4pm yesterday.

0437KST: The young five year old boy rescued has been released from ER and is currently with his family.

0431KST: Official government divers have restarted their search in addition to volunteer divers, who were alone in searching throughout the night. There is speculation that this will be the final day of rescue, and the last chance for survivors to be found.

0350KST: The Marine Crane is due to arrive at 6am.

0305KST:There is online talk of all sympathetic divers getting to the wreckage by Sunrise tomorrow morning to perform a massive sweep of the ship.

0250KST: Apparently Divers are now going down in pairs in increments of about 30min to search the capsized ferry.

0120KST: YTN is now reporting 25 bodies have been recovered. It has been suggested that more bodies have begun to unlodge themselves due to the increased turbulence around the ship. No word on whether any bodies have been recovered from inside the ship itself, which would indicate a change in focus of the operation.

0115KST: Four more bodies have been recovered raising the total to 24 dead. No other details are known as of yet and it appears that no survivors have been rescued in the last 24 hours. Let's hope a more positive story emerges soon.

0020KST: Two more women's bodies have been recovered, raising the death toll to 20.

From here : April 18th

2332KST: The death toll has jumped by four to 18. There were two women and two men found off the port of the ship. The two women were wearing life jackets. The number of recovered bodies is three times higher than it was this time last night. Whereas the number rescued has only raised by three. :'(

2311KST: It's 11:11 in Korea, everyone wish for the rescue of as many people as possible!

2230KST: The search has been resumed and the coastguard says an unmanned robot has been sent to the ferry to aid in finding survivors. I will try my hardest to find out more information about the capabilities of this robot.

2228KST: In contrast to the above pessimism, Korean Facebook seems to sharing around an assertion that:

• Students are trapped in room 6
• There is not much water in the cafeteria.
• In a corridor there are 34 students alive and trapped.

The 2nd point here seems to be based of a text message apparently sent to a mother that was shared on twitter earlier today saying that the female student was in the cafeteria. These reports have not been corroborated in the mainstream media and may refer to fake or false text messages Reports of 14 survivors in the cafeteria have been reported as false by the local police.

2213KST: "Marine salvage expert, Captain John Noble, tells the BBC he believes there is now "very little chance of finding any survivors alive". He says "if they did, it will be by pure miracle". Captain Noble described the search effort as like "going through a maze blindfolded"." ~BBC News

2207KST (1420KST): Tentatively happy news, Korean Social media is reporting that a recovery diver claimed at 1420KST there are 14 people still alive currently in the ship's cafeteria. I have not heard this claim repeated so it may be inaccurate.

2157KST: A 14th body has been recovered. No further details so far. I wish my updates could be more happy.

2151KST: Samsung's CEO has donated a 3600 ton crane for use.

2142KST: Two more bodies have been recovered, the total death toll is now at 13.

2132KST: A man's body has been recovered, the total death toll now has risen to 11.

2057KST: "Several survivors have said they were told by crew members not to move. Some observers said most passengers who were in high school - trained to be disciplined and follow authority - would have obeyed officials without question, says AFP news agency." ~ BBC News.

2049KST: A rescued student told AFP News "They [other students] couldn't crawl up the floor because it was wet and at such a sharp angle,"

2040KST: Death toll has risen to 10 bodies recovered. The rescued figure remains at 179. This body leaves three bodies as yet unidentified. It is now (2116KST) known to be a women's body.

2030KST: Rescue efforts again have been halted due to rain. (Is it just me in thinking that is fucking stupid?) No change in rescued or dead since late morning when the death toll rose.

As of 1920KST, of the 475 passengers, 9 bodies have been recovered, 179 have been rescued and the remaining 287 are missing.

At the briefing mentioned early the main points mentioned were:

• 176 Planes, Boats and Ships were mobilised when the incident happened.
• Cranes will be arriving at the scene tomorrow morning.
• Visibility is poor. The current flow is quite strong. People with excellent diving skills have found it difficult. The weather conditions are not favourable at the moment.
• There are reports that three divers have gone missing but this is unconfirmed.
• No cabins have been searched due to strong currents.
• Citizen divers have been allowed to aid in the search with permission from the family.
• The Capacity of rescue boats are 25 (which seems to be very wishful thinking)
• The Chinese-Korean couple mentioned further up are both Chinese, and are both currently missing.
• Divers accessing the boat from submarines have been unsuccessful in entering the cabins.

From here : April 17th (Need Confirmation)

PREVIOUS UPDATES are AVAILABLE AT REDDIT

by /u/fete28 (4.17 0025KST to 4.18 0700KST)

http://www.reddit.com/r/worldnews/comments/2356mq/south_korea_ferry_carrying_350_sinking/cgtksxo

by /u/nrg800 (4.17 2030KST to 4.18 0504KST)

http://www.reddit.com/r/worldnews/comments/2356mq/south_korea_ferry_carrying_350_sinking/cguqcdc

by /u/gongdoricat (4.17 0432KST to 4.18 0350KST)

http://www.reddit.com/r/worldnews/comments/2356mq/south_korea_ferry_carrying_350_sinking/cgu67fq

==========================================

Incident Summary

On the the 16th of April a routine passenger ferry trip from Incheon to the popular holiday destination of Jeju Island began to sink off the South West coast of Donggeochado-ri. At roughly 08:48 local time the ferry turned sharply and 10min later the first distress signal was sent from the ship. Passengers report hearing a loud bang. At this time onboard announcements told passengers to remain in their seats and cabins. The first of the coast-guard ships arrived at roughly 9:30am and find the ship tilted about 60 towards the port side of the ship. Although some of the cabins were filling with water the PA system was still relaying instructions to remain where you are, according to those rescued. Some commercial fishing boats had arrived at the scene before this point and had begun rescuing passengers who had escaped into the water.

By 9:45 am a helicopter had arrived and began to rescue passengers off the starboard of the ship and these rescues continued until 10:23am, at which time the decks of the ship became submerged.

This began a massive rescue operation involving hundreds of ships and divers. However poor weather conditions, visibility of less than a foot and cold water have hampered these efforts. The ship was still completely unexplored until after Sunrise on the 18th of April.

The weather in the rescue area has not been very good in the rescue area with rescue operations being called temporarily of about two hours ago, I have not heard news of it being continued. The rescue was also temporarily halted at 1300 and resumed later.

One navy crewman is reported to be in an unconscious state, however no details have been released regarding the circumstances of this injury.

Dishearteningly no one has been rescued since about 0140 last night (about 29 hoours ago), while the death toll has risen to 25. All of the recovered bodies have been found in the water rather than in the ship itself implying that this operation is still currently a rescue operation rather than a recovery. Further to this the coast guard does apparently believe that there are still living persons in the ferry, most likely on the 4th floor where experts are claiming that large air pockets are a possibility.

Local police are claiming that many reports of survivors in the ship are hoaxes, however reports are being followed through on, and some messages appear to be genuine. There was a Russian student enrolled at Danwon High School on board the ship, along with reports of two Filipino Crew members and a Chinese-Korean couple. All are currently reported as missing (I am hearing more recent reports that the two Filipino crew have been rescued). Other than this the passengers appear to be all Korean. 2135KST The Russian student currently missing has the Surname of Serkov. The Filipino passengers were a 40 year old female with the surname of Cabrsa and a 45 year old male with the surname Manio. If you know anyone in Korea with these surnames please contact your Korean Embassy for more details.

Only 75 of the 179 rescued are students (41.9%) while 245 of the 287 still missing are students (85.4%). The reason for this is unknown.

Korean Social Media is also providing some possible information, although much of it is unconfirmed. Earlier today it was reported that only two divers were actively searching and although this is confirmed by mainstream news, Korean Facebook is blaming that mostly on a safety line installed last night having been damaged or tangled. I have seen reports on facebook of a quote from a student who was rescued saying "It was difficult to open doors due to the number of bodies in the ship", and I have heard of many reports of there being a number of dead bodies that have not been recovered while rescuers search for survivors.

The 60 year old replacement captain is currently in shock and acting apologetic, but eyewitness accounts say that his first action after being rescued was to dry out his money. Further more the contract that he signed requires him to be the last person off the ship, though he was one of the first. Social media is reporting that 30min after the sinking began passengers were told to return to their room. This likely caused deaths due to the design of the rooms, where the rooms are connected to the common areas by a long corridor which would be impossible to escape out of after the ship started banking too strongly.

The Ship in question is known as a RORO boat (Roll on Roll off), this means that there is a large open cavity in the submerged area. When water gets into this cavity it can fill very fast and this is stipulated as the main reason that the ship sunk so quickly.

=Contributors=

1. Editors

/u/fete28(Eric A)(deleted account, cornian6@gmail.com)

/u/nrg800(Nathan Ruser)(nrg800@gmail.com)

/u/gongdoricat(Hyeongkeun Kim)(hkkim1227@gmail.com)

lin4ety(Lin)(exolinlin@gmail.com)

2. Other contributors (Informant, Translation… etc.)

Jessica Leiss

Robert Plowman

Alison Bittick

Joanne Goodrich

398573@gmail

SaberKazama

syg.choi

Soojeong Park

Thank you all for your contributions :)