Sinking of MV Seohae
The South Korean ferry Seohae sank on October 10, 1993 in the Yellow Sea near Wido, Buan County, North Jeolla Province. 292 of the 362 passengers and crew on board were killed. 70 people were rescued.
At the time, this accident was the largest ferry disaster in South Korea since December 15, 1970, when 323 people on board were killed in the sinking of the ferry Namyoung.Vessel
Seohae was a ferry of 110 gross tons, with a maximum capacity of 221 passengers.Accident
At the time of the incident, Seohae was carrying 362 people, an excess of 141, and the weather condition was harsh with winds of and wave height of.
Overloading was a factor in the sinking. Another was a thick rope found wrapped around both propeller shafts. The rope, left behind by fishing operations, may have made the ferry heel over onto her starboard side.Aftermath
Divers were employed to help recover the bodies of deceased victims after the vessel sunk.
