Jeju Island is known for its dramatic coastline, volcanic landscapes, and popular tourist destinations. School trips to the island offer students an opportunity to learn outside the classroom, spend time with friends, and create memories away from their usual routines. The teenagers aboard the Sewol had every reason to expect a safe journey followed by several days of exploration.
The ferry carried 476 people, including 325 students and accompanying teachers, as well as other passengers and crew members. Parents had entrusted their children to the adults organizing and operating the trip. The journey depended on a basic expectation shared by every passenger: that the vessel and the people responsible for it would get them to their destination safely.
The following morning, that expectation was shattered.
At approximately 8:48 a.m. on April 16, the Sewol made a sharp turn and began listing heavily. A ship listing means that it leans to one side rather than remaining upright. At first, passengers may not have understood how serious the situation was. Objects began moving, floors tilted, and the ship’s normal surroundings became increasingly unfamiliar.
