Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
SKorean naval ship sinks near NKorea; 46 missing
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
SKorean naval ship sinks near NKorea; 46 missing
By SIYOUNG LEE,Associated Press Writer -
Sunday, March 28
Send
IM Story
Print
BAENGNYEONG ISLAND, South Korea – Military divers plunged into the waters near South Korea's tense maritime border with North Korea on Saturday, searching in vain for 46 missing marines from a naval ship that exploded and sank, officials said.
The exact cause of the explosion was unclear, but North Korea did not appear to be to blame, officials said.
Families voiced their anger as hopes faded for the missing crew after the ship sank in one of South Korea's worst naval disasters. Divers tried twice to get to the wreckage, Rear Adm. Lee Ki-sik of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told lawmakers.
The explosion at the rear of the Cheonan shut down its engine, wiped out power and caused the ship to sink a little over three hours later, the Joint Chiefs said.
A survivor, Staff Sgt. Shin Eun-chong, 24, told relatives he was on night duty when he heard a huge boom behind him that split the ship apart. The vessel started tilting, and his glasses fell off his face as he hit the deck, relatives at a naval base in Pyeongtaek told The Associated Press.
Military planes and boats were searching the waters near South Korea's Baengnyeong Island where the 1,200-ton Cheonan had been on a routine patrol mission. Rescue efforts Saturday were hampered by fierce waves and high winds.
"Yells and screams filled the air," witness Kim Jin-ho, a seaman who was on a passenger ship bound for Baengnyeong, told cable news channel YTN. "Marines on deck were desperately shouting: 'Save me!'"
Despite early fears of an attack, there was no immediate indication that North Korea _ which lies within sight about 10 miles (17 kilometers) from Baengnyeong _ was to blame, the Joint Chiefs said. Still, troops were maintaining "solid military readiness," Vice Defense Minister Jang Soo-man said.
Earlier, North Korea's military threatened "unpredictable strikes" against the U.S. and South Korea in anger over a report the two countries plan to prepare for possible instability in the totalitarian country.
The ship went down near a disputed maritime border that has been the site of three bloody skirmishes between the two Koreas, which remain in a state of war because their three-year conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty, in 1953.
President Lee Myung-bak ordered officials to make all efforts to rescue the crew, spokeswoman Kim Eun-hye said.
"I can only imagine how much shock and pain the missing marines' families must be in," he said late Saturday, according to Kim.
Authorities have not confirmed any deaths, but Rear Adm. Lee told lawmakers he presumed most of the missing sailors were trapped inside, the Yonhap news agency said. A coast guard official said humans can survive in winter waters if they are rescued within two hours.
Fifty-eight of the crew of 104 were rescued, with some treated for burns, broken bones and abrasions.
Joint Chiefs spokesman Park Seong-woo said the military will determine the cause of the accident after salvaging the vessel.
That could take weeks. In 2002, it took 17 days to salvage a 130-ton vessel struck in a surprise attack by North Korea, the Joint Chiefs said.
In Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul, wails filled the air as relatives checked a list of missing marines.
"Where are you? Where can you be?" one mother screamed.
Many relatives waited for news, their faces buried in tissues and handkerchiefs. However, about 150 people _ fed up with the lack of information _ pushed their way past armed security guards to confront military officials. They accused authorities of a cover-up, saying survivors told them the Cheonan was leaky and in need of repair.
"Liars!" some screamed, jumping up on the car of the Cheonan's rescued captain as he tried to drive away.
The sinking is one of South Korea's worst naval disasters. In 1974, a ship sank off the southeast coast in stormy weather, killing 159 sailors and coast guard personnel. In 1967, 39 sailors were killed by North Korean artillery.
___
Associated Press writers Kwang-tae Kim, Sangwon Yoon and Jean H. Lee in Seoul, and Esther Hong in Pyeongtaek contributed to this report.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
U.S. missile strike kills four in Pakistan Reuters - 2 hours 17 minutes ago
NATO reports another Afghan death AP - 2 hours 52 minutes ago
Meyer on third gold as Aussies win Madison crown AFP - Sunday, March 28
Lights out across Asia as world begins Earth Hour AFP - Sunday, March 28
Asada topples Queen Kim to reclaim world figure skating title AFP - 1 hour 55 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
Greece to launch bond issue next week: report
Cancer-stricken Dennis Hopper gets Hollywood star
EU relieves Greece, but what next for euro?
Britain's Times, Sunday Times to charge for websites
VW to raise 4.2 bln euros at 65 euros per share
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Cancer-stricken Dennis Hopper gets Hollywood star
EU relieves Greece, but what next for euro?
China VP due in Sweden as Volvo takeover nears
Greece to launch bond issue next week: report
Britain's Times, Sunday Times to charge for websites
More Most Viewed »
'Rare' fossil of new dinosaur species found in US
'Britain's Fritzl' raped daughters for over 25yrs
Researchers back cancer-fighting properties of papaya
Hollywood stars help prevent suicide after Twitter alert
Prince Philip in strip club gaffe
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Sunday, 28 March 2010 Mubarak returns to Egypt amid talk about succession
NATO chief urges Europe to boost defence spending
Russia does not rule out sanctions against Iran
Brazilian helicopters arrive for Colombia hostages
|
Mubarak back home in Egypt three weeks after surgery
Israelis quit Gaza after worst clash in over a year
Libya visa blacklist scrapped: Spanish ministry
|
LRA killed hundreds in late 2009 Congo massacre: U.N.
|
Vatican say abuse response crucial for credibility
|
Sandra Bullock, Jesse James Cover Story Reportedly In Touch Magazine's Biggest Seller Ever
U.S. missile strike kills four in Pakistan
|
Rihanna Spends Second Week At #1 On Billboard Hot 100 With "Rude Boy"
Officials: US missiles kill 4 in Pakistan
Lady Antebellum, Marvin Sapp Top The Billboard 200 Albums Chart
Universal Orlando Reveals June Opening Date For The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter
NATO reports another Afghan death
Meyer on third gold as Aussies win Madison crown
Lights out across Asia as world begins Earth Hour
A virtual farm turns new ground for game developers
|
Asada topples Queen Kim to reclaim world figure skating title
Pakistan air strike kills 11 militants
SKorean naval ship sinks near NKorea; 46 missing
Thai protesters surround PM's office
Indian official questioned about religious riots
U.S. Urges Bangladesh To Strengthen Reconciliation
Second Nominee For TSA Chief Backs Out
"RuPaul's Drag Race" Casting For Third Season
South Butt Clothing Line Parody Brings Trademark Infringement Lawsuit From North Face
JP Morgan, UBS Named In Muncipal Auction Bid-Rigging Suit
Stocks Give-Up Early Gains, Markets Finish Mixed
Phillies Fan Charged With Attempted Sex Trade
Obama Announces Financial Incentives to Reduce Home Foreclosures
Invisible Taliban harass US Marines
BA cabin crew threaten more strikes
Turkey snubs Merkel over EU bid
Tuvalu to Times Square; landmarks off for Earth Hour
|
British concern over Afghan police: report
Google goes it alone in China censorship fight
Iraq's Allawi says open to all in coalition talks
|
Israeli tanks kill Palestinian militant in Gaza incursion: medics
National bans is poll boon for Italian local TV, Internet
Investors on alert as Portugal starts budget battle
Daimler ignored warnings on corruption: report
Thai PM to meet protesters, few concessions seen
|
Fans fight at Mexican matches, 30 injured in Queretaro
|
GM Recalls Heavy Duty Vans For Fire Hazard
Obama Cites Senate "Obstruction" In 15 Recess Appointments
Two more nuclear sites suspected in Iran: report
Obama: Student Loan Reform Will Save $68 Billion For Taxpayers
Palin urges voters to dump Democratic Senator
Women's equality is key to global prosperity: Clinton
China's Chalco sinks into red in 2009
Thai PM agrees to talks with protesters
China's Geely set to sign Volvo takeover
S. Korea resumes hunt for 46 missing in warship sinking
Robots, space technology run Australia's mining miracle
In quick reversal, Thai PM to talk with protesters
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Rare glimpse of Hmong in Laos fails to quell concerns
SKorea resumes searching for 46 missing navy crew
Thai government, protesters edge towards talks
Billionaire Giving Half Of His Fortune To Charity To Fulfill Pledge
Grenades hit Thai barracks amid protests
Second Nominee For TSA Chief Backs Out
"Fart Attacks" Get Prisoner In Stinky Situation
Mexicos "King Of Heroin" Dethroned With Arrest
South Butt Clothing Line Parody Brings Trademark Infringement Lawsuit From North Face
Stevia herb sweetens global market
Centuries-old Sex Toys Sell For Thousands
Meat-cutting robot at Germany's 1st doner kebab fair
US deaths double in Afghanistan as troops pour in
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
US troop deaths double in Afghanistan
Slime flies at Kids Choice, Michelle Obama honored
Butt Bra Does Wonders For Buttocks
Bolshoi to re-open in October 2011: report
In California, legalizing marijuana not just for hippies
Bag With $100,000 Falls Off Armored Truck, Only $13,000 Returned
Slime flies at Kids Choice, Michelle Obama honored
|
Party official among 6 killed by bombs in western Iraq
Italians vote in polls seen as test for Berlusconi
Netanyahu vows response to Gaza attacks
Bomb attacks kill six in Afghanistan
Thousands protest against Putin in Russian city
|
Israel minister vows to 'liquidate' Gaza Hamas rulers
Pope signals won't be intimidated by abuse critics
|
Israel restricts West Bank access ahead of Passover
Haiti, donors face huge task to build back better
|
Flood in new China coal mine traps 123 miners
|
Party official among 6 killed by bombs in western Iraq
|
Israel's Netanyahu rejects Obama disaster headline
|
Iran: Two More Secret Nuclear Sites?
Yemen says Shi'ite rebels kill accused collaborator
|
Can Somaliland Cure Somalias Woes?
Israel's Netanyahu vows response to Gaza attacks
|
Police Investigating Apparent Jell-O Tampering
Russia says U.S. should eradicate Afghan opium
|
123 trapped in flooded coal mine in northern China
Missing lawyer says he is living in northern China
Well-known missing Chinese rights lawyer alive
152 trapped in flooded coal mine in northern China
World's iconic sites go dark to fight global warming
McLaren's Button wins back-to-back Australian GPs
152 trapped in coal mine flood in northern China
Philippine troops capture key Abu Sayyaf camp
Live on TV: Thai PM vs. anti-government protesters
Japan suspicion over China's poison dumpling arrest
Chinese court to rule in Rio Tinto trial
Malaysia bids for investments with 'new economic model'
Bharti boss on cusp of realising African dream
Driving into history: India's original small car
Automakers Geely, Ford may pen Volvo deal Sunday
S.Korean exporters Q2 sentiment rebounds
'The beautiful game' changing young Indian lives
Josephine letters fetch huge sums at French auction
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights