The journey to Jeju was supposed to be a memorable experience for hundreds of students. Instead, it became a lasting reminder of how much responsibility rests with the people and institutions entrusted with passenger safety.
Photo Gallery: Daring Rescue as South Korea Ferry Sinks Carrying 475
Chapter: Why the Ferry Capsized
The Sewol disaster was not simply an unpredictable accident at sea. Investigations identified a combination of problems involving the ship’s stability, cargo loading, steering, and the way the vessel was operated. These failures interacted, leaving the ferry unable to recover once it began leaning severely.
A school trip became a national tragedy when the Sewol ferry sank in 2014.
Chapter: A Journey That Was Supposed to Be an Adventure
On the evening of April 15, 2014, the passenger ferry MV Sewol departed from Incheon, South Korea, heading toward the southern island of Jeju. For many passengers, the overnight journey was an ordinary part of travel. For hundreds of students from Danwon High School in Ansan, however, it was the beginning of a school trip they had been looking forward to.
