April 16 (Yonhap)
...The ill-fated ship (click here) completely capsized and sank in two hours.
The cause of the accident was not known, though survivors said they heard a banging noise before the ship suddenly started sinking. Speculation has arisen that the ship might have hit an underwater rock or collided with another vessel.
"There was a bang and then the ship suddenly tilted over," said a survivor identified by his surname Yoo, 57. "Downstairs were restaurants, shops and entertainment rooms, and those who were there are feared to have failed to escape."
The government said the priority is rescue operations.
"We will try to determine the cause of the accident after rescue operations are over," said Second Vice Home Affairs Minister Lee Gyeong-og said during a press briefing in Seoul....
Another vessel? A sub? Who's sub? Suddenly tilted over? It was rammed? It was lifted? This was a regular route, a rock doesn't grow in days. And the fact it is a regular route also creates a 'sitting duck' if hostilities were the reason.
...The students (click here) were on their way to Jeju island for a four-day trip. The trip from Incheon to Jeju is usually about 14 hours, so the ferry was about three hours from its destination when it made the distress call....
Jeju is an island but is also one of the twenty South Korean sovereign provinces. If this is at all linked to hostilities, it is a direct attack on South Korea. An accident? It would have to be proven to be called an accident beyond any doubt before I'd call it an accident.
It was nowhere near a shoreline. (click here) What rock outcrop is going to be in that water?I'd bet real money it was a predator sub. The last report I read on North Korean subs was that there were four missing.
Divers couldn't get to the ship for further rescue because it was in deeper than 100 feet of water and there was a rock out crop? I don't think so.
Who was in the area? (click here) There are other passenger ships on the water now. What is going on to be sure they aren't facing the same outcomes?It is obviously an area of heavy traffic, but, for a ship to simply sink is a rather strange thing. A bang and suddenly tilted. That bang was not internal and the bottom of the hull looks intact. There was no other surface ship involved. The causes are getting fewer and fewer.
Secretary Hagel was just in China. He received a very open welcome. I am sure China is just as concerned about the security of these ships as any other nation. China cannot tolerate any aggressions. China's economy runs on cargo ships. This is nonsense.
