March 28, 2017•Update: March 29, 2017
By Alex Jensen
SEOUL
The remains of at least one missing victim of one of South Korea’s worst maritime disasters nearly three years ago were found Tuesday amid an operation to move the stricken Sewol ferry to dry land.
A total of 304 people lost their lives when the vessel sank close to the country’s southwest coast on April 16, 2014.
Most victims were high-school children. Nine bodies were never recovered.
The Sewol is in the process of being attached to a semi-submersible ship after finally being lifted from the water last week.
"The remains of a person were discovered on the deck of the semi-submersible transportation ship at 11.25 a.m. [0225 GMT],” salvage team leader Lee Cheol-jo told reporters, according to Yonhap News Agency.
However, Lee admitted the six bone fragments found Tuesday could belong to more than one victim and will be examined by forensic experts. The remains apparently fell from the vessel as it was being drained.
The Oceans Ministry had said earlier in the day the salvage crew was speeding up efforts to move the Sewol to a Mokpo port to be prepared for a thorough search around April 10.
While loved ones of those still missing have been waiting around three years for closure, other questions also remain unanswered such as what exactly caused the ferry to sink.
Cargo overloading and structural renovations were partly blamed by a previous investigation but protesters insist the truth is yet to be fully uncovered.
An eight-member fact-finding group is aiming to clarify lingering doubts by examining the vessel once it arrives in Mokpo.
