Sinking of MV Sewol

Historical Event: Sinking MV Sewol AKA “Sewol Ferry Tragedy”

On April 16, 2014, 467 passengers were inside Sewol Ferry in South Korea. The MV (motor vessel) Sewol Ferry was heading to Jeju Islands from Incheon. 304 passengers were deceased: 250 of 325 Danwon High School students' lives were lost. The junior high school students were on a school trip. 172 of 476 people survived, including 75 students. 

The captain and the crew suddenly turned as the steering became faster than usual, causing the cargo to loosen and go off-balance. The Rescue Operations came to the sea to save the passengers and the crew. Unfortunately, the captain and the crew were rescued before the passengers. The ship capsized while the passengers were still inside that morning. After the tragedy, South Korea used yellow ribbons and yellow objects to represent the victims and to symbolize hope.

On March 22, 2017, the Sewol Ferry was finally out of the Yellow Sea three years after the tragic event. The Rescue Operations were still searching for nine missing bodies. The people of South Korea and the parents of the missing victims were still hoping the missing bodies could be found soon.