Ferry tragedy death toll climbing

MOKPO (AP):

Divers fighting strong currents and rain were yesterday unable to get inside the ferry that sank off South Korea leaving more than 300 missing or dead .

A civilian diver said he saw three bodies inside the ship but was unable to break the windows.

Hundreds of civilian, government and military divers were involved in the search yesterday as the number of confirmed dead rose to 32 when three bodies were found in the murky water near the ferry,

The captain of the ferry was arrested yesterday on suspicion of negligence and abandoning people in need. Two crew members also were taken into custody, including a rookie third mate who a prosecutor said was steering in challenging waters unfamiliar to her when the accident occurred.

CAPTAIN's APOLOGY

The ferry's captain, Lee Joon-seok, 68, was arrested along with one of the Sewol's three helmsmen and the 25-year-old third mate, prosecutors said.

"I am sorry to the people of South Korea for causing a disturbance and I bow my head in apology to the families of the victims," Lee told reporters yesterday morning. But he defended his much-criticised decision to wait about 30 minutes before ordering an evacuation.

The Sewol sank off South Korea's southern coast Wednesday with 476 people aboard, most of them students on holiday from a single high school. About 270 people are still missing, and most are believed to be trapped inside the 6,852-ton vessel.

By the time the evacuation order was issued, the ship was listing at too steep an angle for many people to escape the tight hallways and stairs inside.