South Korea: Diver dies during search for victims in sunken ferry

Zee Media Bureau

Seoul: A civilian diver searching for bodies in the sunken South Korea ferry ship died on Tuesday after losing consciousness. The diver employed by Undine Marine Industries, the company leading the rescue operation, lost contact soon after diving and had to be brought back to the surface. He was unable to breathe by himself and was rushed to the hospital where he was declared dead. This is the first death of a diver involved in the rescue operation after the ferry sunk last month claiming 263 lives with 39 people still reported missing. Around 476 passengers were on board travelling from Incheon to Jeju on April 16 which carried 339 children and teachers from high school. At least 130 divers are still trying to retrieve the remaining bodies from the sunken ferry. The task of recovering the bodies have been made difficult by the closed cabin doors and debris. Items from the ferry, including mattresses and clothing were found kilometers away from the sunken ferry site. Meanwhile, President Park Guen-Hye criticised the role of government officials and ferry operator in the tragedy during the weekend and also met the families of the victims.