Anger in South Korea over bones fiasco
Print Edition
SOUTH Korean authorities faced a deluge of criticism yesterday for announcing that human remains had been found from the sunken Sewol ferry, only to correct themselves within hours to say they were animal bones.
Newspapers said relatives of the missing had been put through “heaven and hell” and accused the maritime ministry of recklessness.
Nine of the 304 people killed nearly three years ago in one of South Korea’s worst maritime disasters have never been found.
Salvaging the wreck in one piece — finally achieved in a complex operation last week — had been a key demand of their families, who said they had been unable to mourn properly without the remains.
The maritime ministry raised their hopes on Tuesday when it said human remains had been found and were “suspected to be one of the missing victims.” Little more than five hours later it withdrew the assertion, saying the pieces had been confirmed to be seven animal bone fragments.
Citing forensic experts, Yonhap news agency said they were from pig legs.
Reports suggested the bones could have come from food on board the Sewol — pork from Jeju, the ship’s destination, is a popular regional specialty.
Bringing the Sewol to port at Mokpo is expected to occur in the coming days, although preparatory work for the journey was suspended yesterday due to bad weather.
Almost all the victims of the sinking were schoolchildren. Investigations concluded the disaster was largely man-made.
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