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| China-Japan-Koreas |
| Divers to drill hole in sunken S. Korean naval ship |
| 2010-03-30 |
| SEOUL, March 30 (Yonhap) -- Military divers geared up Tuesday to drill a hole into the stern of a sunken South Korean naval ship in desperate efforts to rescue dozens of missing sailors believed to be trapped inside the wreckage, officials said. Monday evening was the end of the 69-hour window during which rescuers believed the missing crew could survive, prompting them to inject oxygen into the ship using a hose. But no sign of life was detected when they knocked on the hull with hammers in the hope of a response. The ship's rear, which was located Monday about 50 yards from the site of the explosion and about 40 meters underwater, has been overturned at a 90-degree angle, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). "We will attempt to drill a hole in the stern to create access through which we can enter it in the hope of finding any survivors," an official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity. He said the task hinges on the force of underwater currents and the muddiness of the water, which could hinder rescuers' view, and added that divers also continued to try to enter the sunken stern through crumpled doors but have made little progress. The rescue operations are being assisted about two dozen military ships including the U.S. 7th fleet's Salvo rescue vessel and South Korea's 14,000-ton Dokdo amphibious landing ship, according to Seoul's defense ministry. |
| Posted by:Steve White |