Funeral for teacher hailed a hero in South Korea ferry tragedy
The funeral has taken place of a teacher hailed a hero as the number confirmed dead in South Korea’s ferry disaster rose to 58, with 244 people still listed as missing. Survivors said Nam Yun-cheo, 36, lost his life trying to save students as the vessel started sinking. Children account for most of those killed and presumed dead after the ferry capsized during a high school outing off the Korean Peninsula’s southwestern tip on Wednesday. The Minister for the Oceans and Fisheries Lee Ju-young has been jostled and booed by relatives, desperately waiting for news. Families have also clashed with police as they seek to denounce events. A newly-released transcript of messages to and from the stricken ferry demonstrates confusion and panic. Witnesses say the ferry turned sharply before it began listing and that although it took over two hours to fully capsize, passengers were told to stay put in their cabins. With divers now inside the vessel, prosecutors want to extend the detention of its captain and two other crew members who have been arrested over the tragedy.
