Today, 11 years ago, the Sewol Ferry Tragedy took place. On this ferry, there were a total of 476 passengers on board, and this incident resulted in 304 lives being lost, including crew members. Among the deceased, 250 were students from the Danwon High School in Ansan, Korea. However, many passengers escaped the disaster; 33 crew members abandoned the ferry, and 139 students jumped overboard.
The primary focus of the investigation was a sharp turn the ferry took, which caused it to tilt heavily to the side. Although nothing is confirmed, there have been many theories: reef encounter, submarine collision, engine failure, and ultimately, the inability to maintain balance.
Hankyoreh, a media outlet in Korea, says, “The hypotheses of the ferry hitting a submerged rock or suffering an external blow are technically unlikely. The cause of the sinking is likely internal.”
Subsequent investigations supported this theory, revealing critical issues within the ferry's operational systems. Investigators conducted a thorough examination of the vessel to determine the cause of the sinking, and engineers were brought in to identify possible system failures. They reviewed numerous documents to further their investigation, including the ferry's design, maintenance records, and operational history.
Theories suggested an internal malfunction, focusing on the steering mechanism. The normal steering capacity of the ferry was 35 degrees, going up to 37 degrees if the mechanism was broken. On March 23, 2017, the vessel was recovered from the ocean floor, and they determined the solenoid valve was clogged. Additionally, a vital pin was jammed, causing even the slightest turn of the wheel to turn to the max steering capacity.
Captain Lee Joon-seok was blamed for the tragedy, though no clear cause was determined. The ferry exceeded its max capacity of 987 tons, carrying 2,214 tons. The improperly secured cargo shifted during a sharp turn, hastening the sinking.
Investigations discovered that the air-tight compartments, including two water-tight doors and five manholes, were open. If closed, more passengers might have been saved.
According to Park Sung-Hyun, a member of the 4.16 Foundation made to help the families of the victims, said, “If responsible parties are let off the hook, we won’t see anyone committed to saving lives in other instances of disasters.”
Students had been painfully aware of the sinking of the ship and texted family members their goodbyes. Many were told to do what they were told, an announcement said passengers should stay put. Survivors told news outlets that as the announcement was sent out, the ship had already been sinking, and there were still many students inside.
Park Ji-Young, a crew member, made sure the student got their life vests on correctly, even before putting on hers. She assured the students that as soon as all the passengers were out, she would get out, pushing passengers towards the exits as the water reached their necks.
According to Reuters, the Captain of the ferry is serving a life sentence in jail alongside other crew members. They were charged with murder, which made their previous convictions more severe. Investigations on the Sewol ferry ended in September 2022.
To those who lost loved ones in the tragedy, the 4.16 Foundation works with the families of the victims, provides post-traumatic and financial support, and works to make sure we live in a world where lives are protected.
