Thursday, May 1, 2014

Video shows ferry captain's escape

  • 193 people are confirmed dead and 109 are missing, the coast guard says
  • Coast guard on captain's rescue: "We couldn't tell who was a passenger"
  • One of the teenage victims took cell phone video as the Sewol ferry began to sink
  • Loudspeaker announcements can be heard telling passengers to stay put

Jindo, South Korea (CNN) -- In one video, the captain of the sinking South Korean ferry scrambles to safety. In another, stranded passengers panic.

"Wow, it's tilting a lot. We're tilting to this side. Can't move," one says.

"You think I'm really going to die?" another cries.

The two recordings fueled fresh outrage Monday over the Sewol ferry's sinking as questions swirled over why so many perished in the disaster while many members of the ship's crew survived.

First ship on scene saw no evacuation
Hero from ferry accident laid to rest
South Korean Prime Minister resigns
People pay tribute at a memorial altar for victims of the sunken ferry Sewol on Tuesday, April 29, at a park in Ansan, South Korea. More than 200 bodies have been found, and nearly 100 people remain missing after the ferry sank April 16 off South Korea's southwest coast.People pay tribute at a memorial altar for victims of the sunken ferry Sewol on Tuesday, April 29, at a park in Ansan, South Korea. More than 200 bodies have been found, and nearly 100 people remain missing after the ferry sank April 16 off South Korea's southwest coast.
A police officer holds an umbrella for a relative of a missing ferry passenger on Monday, April 28, as he awaits news in Jindo. A police officer holds an umbrella for a relative of a missing ferry passenger on Monday, April 28, as he awaits news in Jindo.
South Korean Buddhists carry lanterns in a parade in Seoul on Saturday, April 26, to honor the memory of the dead and the safe return of the missing.South Korean Buddhists carry lanterns in a parade in Seoul on Saturday, April 26, to honor the memory of the dead and the safe return of the missing.
Divers search for people in the waters near Jindo, South Korea, on April 26.Divers search for people in the waters near Jindo, South Korea, on April 26.
People attend a memorial for the victims of the sunken ferry Sewol on April 26.People attend a memorial for the victims of the sunken ferry Sewol on April 26.
A diver jumps into the sea near the sunken ferry on Friday, April 25. A diver jumps into the sea near the sunken ferry on Friday, April 25.
A relative of a passenger weeps while waiting for news of his missing loved one at a port in Jindo on April 25.A relative of a passenger weeps while waiting for news of his missing loved one at a port in Jindo on April 25.
People attend a memorial for the victims at the Olympic Memorial Hall in Ansan, South Korea, on Thursday, April 24.People attend a memorial for the victims at the Olympic Memorial Hall in Ansan, South Korea, on Thursday, April 24.
Yellow ribbons honoring the victims flap in the wind as a hearse carrying a victim's body leaves Danwon High School in Ansan on April 24. Most of the people on board the ferry were high school students on their way to the resort island of Jeju.Yellow ribbons honoring the victims flap in the wind as a hearse carrying a victim's body leaves Danwon High School in Ansan on April 24. Most of the people on board the ferry were high school students on their way to the resort island of Jeju.
People attend a memorial for the victims at Olympic Memorial Hall in Ansan.People attend a memorial for the victims at Olympic Memorial Hall in Ansan.
Search personnel dive into the sea on Wednesday, April 23.Search personnel dive into the sea on Wednesday, April 23.
Flares light up the search area on Tuesday, April 22.Flares light up the search area on Tuesday, April 22.
The sun sets over the site of the sunken ferry on April 22.The sun sets over the site of the sunken ferry on April 22.
A relative of a ferry passenger prays as she waits for news in Jindo on April 22.A relative of a ferry passenger prays as she waits for news in Jindo on April 22.
The search for victims continues April 22 in the waters of the Yellow Sea.The search for victims continues April 22 in the waters of the Yellow Sea.
Rescue workers in Jindo carry the body of a passenger on Monday, April 21.Rescue workers in Jindo carry the body of a passenger on Monday, April 21.
Divers jump into the water on April 21 to search for passengers near the buoys that mark the site of the sunken ferry.Divers jump into the water on April 21 to search for passengers near the buoys that mark the site of the sunken ferry.
A relative of a passenger looks at the lists of the dead on April 21.A relative of a passenger looks at the lists of the dead on April 21.
Search operations continue as flares illuminate the scene near Jindo on Sunday, April 20.Search operations continue as flares illuminate the scene near Jindo on Sunday, April 20.
Relatives of missing passengers grieve April 20 in Jindo.Relatives of missing passengers grieve April 20 in Jindo.
Relatives of passengers look out at the sea from Jindo on April 20.Relatives of passengers look out at the sea from Jindo on April 20.
A relative of a missing passenger struggles with a policeman as he tries to march toward the presidential house in Jindo on April 20 to protest the government's rescue operation.A relative of a missing passenger struggles with a policeman as he tries to march toward the presidential house in Jindo on April 20 to protest the government's rescue operation.
Police officers in Jindo stand guard Saturday, April 19, to prevent relatives of the ferry's missing passengers from jumping in the water. Some relatives said they will swim to the shipwreck site and find their missing family members by themselves.Police officers in Jindo stand guard Saturday, April 19, to prevent relatives of the ferry's missing passengers from jumping in the water. Some relatives said they will swim to the shipwreck site and find their missing family members by themselves.
Family members of missing passengers hug as they await news of their missing relatives at Jindo Gymnasium on April 19. Family members of missing passengers hug as they await news of their missing relatives at Jindo Gymnasium on April 19.
South Korean Navy Ship Salvage Unit members prepare to salvage the sunken ferry and search for missing people on April 19.South Korean Navy Ship Salvage Unit members prepare to salvage the sunken ferry and search for missing people on April 19.
Oil from the sunken ferry appears near the wreckage site on April 19.Oil from the sunken ferry appears near the wreckage site on April 19.
Lee Joon Suk, the captain of the Sewol, is escorted to the court that issued his arrest warrant Friday, April 18, in Mokpo, South Korea.Lee Joon Suk, the captain of the Sewol, is escorted to the court that issued his arrest warrant Friday, April 18, in Mokpo, South Korea.
Offshore cranes wait near buoys that mark the location of the sunken ferry on April 18.Offshore cranes wait near buoys that mark the location of the sunken ferry on April 18.
A U.S. helicopter takes off from the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard during search-and-rescue operations on April 18.A U.S. helicopter takes off from the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard during search-and-rescue operations on April 18.
A woman cries as she waits for news on missing passengers April 18 in Jindo.A woman cries as she waits for news on missing passengers April 18 in Jindo.
A searchlight illuminates the capsized ferry on Thursday, April 17.A searchlight illuminates the capsized ferry on Thursday, April 17.
The ship's captain, Lee Joon Suk, arrives at the Mokpo Police Station in Mokpo on April 17. His head and face covered, he broke down in tears when reporters asked whether he had anything to say.The ship's captain, Lee Joon Suk, arrives at the Mokpo Police Station in Mokpo on April 17. His head and face covered, he broke down in tears when reporters asked whether he had anything to say.
A woman cries during a candlelight vigil at Danwon High School in Ansan, South Korea, on April 17.A woman cries during a candlelight vigil at Danwon High School in Ansan, South Korea, on April 17.
Rescue personnel dive April 17 during search operations.Rescue personnel dive April 17 during search operations.
Family members of passengers aboard the sunken ferry gather at a gymnasium in Jindo on April 17.Family members of passengers aboard the sunken ferry gather at a gymnasium in Jindo on April 17.
The body of a victim is moved at a hospital in Mokpo on April 17.The body of a victim is moved at a hospital in Mokpo on April 17.
Relatives of a passenger cry at a port in Jindo on April 17 as they wait for news on the rescue operation.Relatives of a passenger cry at a port in Jindo on April 17 as they wait for news on the rescue operation.
South Korean coast guard members and rescue teams search for passengers at the site of the sunken ferry on April 17.South Korean coast guard members and rescue teams search for passengers at the site of the sunken ferry on April 17.
A relative of a passenger cries as she waits for news on Wednesday, April 16.A relative of a passenger cries as she waits for news on Wednesday, April 16.
Rescue teams and fishing boats try to rescue passengers on April 16.Rescue teams and fishing boats try to rescue passengers on April 16.
Relatives check a list of survivors April 16 in Jindo.Relatives check a list of survivors April 16 in Jindo.
Relatives of missing ferry passengers wait for news at a gym in Jindo.Relatives of missing ferry passengers wait for news at a gym in Jindo.
Rescue crews attempt to save passengers from the ferry on April 16.Rescue crews attempt to save passengers from the ferry on April 16.
A South Korean coast guard helicopter lifts passengers off the vessel on April 16.A South Korean coast guard helicopter lifts passengers off the vessel on April 16.
Police and rescue teams carry a passenger at the port in Jindo on April 16. Police and rescue teams carry a passenger at the port in Jindo on April 16.
A relative waits for a missing loved one at the port in Jindo.A relative waits for a missing loved one at the port in Jindo.
Parents at Danwon High School search for names of their children among the list of survivors. Ansan is a suburb of Seoul, the South Korean capital.Parents at Danwon High School search for names of their children among the list of survivors. Ansan is a suburb of Seoul, the South Korean capital.
Helicopters hover over the ferry as rescue operations continue April 16.Helicopters hover over the ferry as rescue operations continue April 16.
A man in Seoul watches a news broadcast about the sinking vessel.A man in Seoul watches a news broadcast about the sinking vessel.
Officials escort rescued passengers April 16 in Jindo.Officials escort rescued passengers April 16 in Jindo.
A passenger is helped onto a rescue boat on April 16.A passenger is helped onto a rescue boat on April 16.
A passenger is rescued from the sinking ship on April 16.A passenger is rescued from the sinking ship on April 16.
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Photos: South Korean ship sinksPhotos: South Korean ship sinks

The video capturing passengers' panic was recorded by a teenage boy on the vessel, according to South Korean national TV network JTBC. The teen's father gave the network the footage after authorities recovered his son's body and found the cell phone. Its memory card was still intact, JTBC reported.

The network shared a roughly three-minute audio clip of the video with CNN, which translated the exchanges.

The clip provides a horrifying glimpse into the uncertainty and desperation inside the ferry as it rolled.

Meanwhile, outside the ferry, rescuers were circling, a video released by South Korea's coast guard shows.

The video shows the coast guard's rescue of Lee Joon-seok, the ship's captain, who scrambles off the stricken vessel in his underwear.

Speaking out about it for the first time on Monday, the men who rescued him said they had no idea who he was until later.

"During the rescue operation, people were just dropping in the sea," South Korean coast guard Capt. Kim Kyung Il told reporters. "Everyone was wearing a life vest, so we couldn't tell who was passenger, and who was crew."

Arrests and an investigation

Many South Koreans have lambasted the government's response to the disaster, saying it has been too slow. South Korean authorities are pressing a criminal investigation.

The ship's captain and 14 others have been arrested. Prosecutors in Mokpo, who are leading the ferry investigation, tell CNN that all the 15 crew members in charge of sailing and the engine room have been indicted and are being held in the Mokpo prison.

Authorities also arrested three people Monday on suspicion of destroying evidence connected to the sinking of the ferry.

On Sunday, South Korea's Prime Minister announced his resignation, saying he wants to take responsibility for the initial reaction to the disaster.

South Korean Prime Minister resigns
More arrests in S. Korea Ferry disaster
South Koreans overwhelmed with guilt

Chung Hong-won apologized "on behalf of the government for the many problems that arose during the first response and the subsequent rescue operation" in addition to "problems that existed before the accident."

While political fallout occurs, the father of the boy who shot the cell phone video is beside himself with grief.

"My son, it must have been cold and dark where you were," said Park Jong-dae, weeping as he read a statement on JTBC. "How much you must have been cold and afraid?

"I hoped and prayed for your survival, but it didn't turn out that way. My son, now it's time for us to say goodbye. It's time for you and me to say goodbye and for me to let go of the hope that I could not let go so far. Please forgive me. Farewell. ..."

Images of ferry captain abandoning ship are shocking

Confusion and a warning to stay put

On Monday, searchers continued to look for passengers and crew, and so far have retrieved 193 bodies. Another 109 people are still missing.

The fate of those seen and heard on the video is not known.

Coast guard officials told reporters on Monday that when they arrived at the site of the shipwreck, the ferry was listing so badly that they immediately sounded their alarm.

"When we got there, we used our speakers to tell everyone to get off the boat and get into the water," Kim said.

At some point inside the ferry, passengers -- including 300 students on a school field trip -- apparently heard a different message.

In the audio recording provided by JTBC, a voice on a public address system warns that everyone should stay where they are: "Do not move from your present location and please stay. ..."

Ferry disaster's toll on South Korea's national psyche

While some seem confused, there are people who appear to joke around, clearly not fully comprehending the gravity of what's happening. At one point a voice is heard saying, "This trip is screwed."

Others seem more distressed by the situation and ask about life jackets.

"Mom, dad, dad, dad! What about my younger sibling?" one cries.

Some passengers talk to one another, trying to reassure and inform. Another voice says, "I think it's calming down."

Then: "Is it calming down?"

"It's going more to the left."

"I think it's better than it was before."

"I'm wearing the life vest."

"I'm wearing one, too. I really have to."

"I have to wear one, too."

Some appear to try to help others.

One shouts, "Hey!" then says the name of someone who doesn't have a life jacket. "We need to get one!"

As the video continues, it seems that no one knows what's really happening.

"What's the captain doing?" one person asks.

Later, a voice is heard saying, "They should let us know what's going on."

South Korean president apologizes for response to ferry sinking

CNN's Nic Robertson reported from Jindo. CNN's Ashley Fantz and Catherine E. Shoichet reported from Atlanta. CNN's Jung-eun Kim, Judy Kwon and Steven Jiang contributed to this report.

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