South Korean officials: Sewol salvage operation slower than expected

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The operation to salvage the Sewol ferry has been temporarily suspended due to an underwater obstruction, with the process going slower than expected, according to the South Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries during a press conference on Thursday evening.

The salvage work was suspended due to an underwater obstruction, as the ship made contact with the pulley of the two barges tasked with the lifting, and the left rear ramp on the ferry remains in an open position, making it hard to be moved onto a semi-submersible ship, according to Yonhap News Agency.

The salvage operation to raise the ferry began on Wednesday morning, three years after Sewol sank with at least 300 people on board killed. It is the country’s worst maritime disaster.

Operation underway at site to salvage the Sewol ferry in South Korea. /CFP Photo‍

Two salvage barges have raised the 145-meter-long ship about 10 meters above sea level, according to the ministry. They originally expected the ferry to be lifted some 13 meters above sea level by late Thursday afternoon.

Once the ferry is raised to 13 meters, it will be moved onto a semi-submersible ship, which will carry it to the port of Mokpo where it will be investigated. It will take about eight days to lift the ship and move it to the port, according to the ministry.

Authorities added that after the ferry leaves the accident site, divers will search for remains in the water, and underwater fences have been set up around the area to prevent the remains from being washed away.