South Korean Ferry: Ten More Bodies Found

Divers have recovered 10 more bodies inside the South Korean sunken ferry, pushing the confirmed death toll to 46, officials say.

The discovery came after divers gained access to the inside of the ferry for the first time after three days of failed attempts due to strong currents and poor visibility.

"At 11.48pm the joint rescue team broke a glass window and succeeded in getting inside the vessel," the South Korean government said in a statement.

Officials said the bodies were found inside the ferry but did not provide further details.

Ferry Captain Lee Joon-Seok has apologised to families of the victims

Hundreds of government, military and civilian divers have been involved in the search.

More than 265 people, most of them children on a school trip, are missing. There are 174 known survivors.

The 69-year-old captain of the ferry, Lee Joon-Seok, has been arrested on suspicion of negligence and abandoning people in need.

Two other crew members have also been taken into custody, including a 25-year-old third mate who a prosecutor said was steering in challenging waters unfamiliar to her when the accident occurred on Wednesday.

Divers have entered the ship for the first time

Early reports suggest that the ferry, on a 300-mile (400km) voyage from the mainland port of Incheon to the Korean resort island of Jeju, may have turned sharply and then listed before capsizing.

Investigators are looking at how the cargo was stowed, the safety record of the ship operator and the actions of the crew.

Witnesses say Lee and other crew members left the sinking ship before many of the passengers and that orders to evacuate were either not given, or not heard.

Lee said he feared that passengers would be swept away by the ferocious currents in the area if they leapt into the sea, but has not explained why he left the vessel.

A man identified as Cpt Lee is seen being rescued from the sinking ferry

In a TV address Lee, who has more than 40 years of experience at sea, 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.

"I gave instructions regarding the route, then I briefly went to the bedroom and then it happened.

"At the time, the current was very strong, temperature of the ocean water was cold, and I thought that if people left the ferry without (proper) judgement, if they were not wearing a life jacket, and even if they were, they would drift away and face many other difficulties.

"The rescue boats had not arrived yet, nor were there any civilian fishing ships or other boats nearby at that time. There was a mistake on my behalf as well but the steering (gear of the ship) turned further than it was supposed to."

Distraught family members wait for news from rescue teams in Jindo

Hundreds of relatives gathered in a gymnasium in the southwestern port city of Jindo have spent days and nights awaiting news of their relatives on the ship.

Out of all the people on the ferry, 339 were either pupils or teachers from Danwon High School near the capital, Seoul.

The vice principal of the school who was on the ferry and survived was found hanged on Friday.

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