Korea has been plunged into mourning following the tragic sinking of the Sewol-ho. The ferryboat sank dramatically on the morning of April 16 off the southwestern coast of Korea, near Jindo Island in Jeollanam-do (South Jeolla Province), with hundreds of people on board, many of them high school students on a school trip to Jejudo Island.
Both neighboring countries and friends from around the world have been sharing Korea`s grief in this heart-wrenching moment and have sent words of condolences to the victims and their families.
According to Cheong Wa Dae, heads of state from 45 counties and leaders from three international organizations, including the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), have sent letters of condolences to the heartbroken country.
People in Bangkok gather on April 18 to send words of condolences to the ferry victims and their families. (photo courtesy of the Korean Embassy in Thailand)
Pope Francis is one of the many who are grieving for the victims of the capsized ferry. On April 18, two days after the accident, Pope Francis prayed for the families as well as the ferry victims themselves. A letter from the Vatican said that, “Pope Francis is in grief over the ferry disaster in Korea that left hundreds of passengers dead or missing and sends condolences to those who are yet unaccounted for and their families.”
“The Holy Father prays for the victims to rest in peace and for their families, while saying his thoughts and prayers will always go to the rescue workers. The Holy Father also prays that God’s comforts and grace may be with all the victims,” it continued.
Pope Francis says in his Twitter, Pope Francis says on Twitter, “Please join me in praying for the victims of the ferry disaster in Korea and their families.” (captured image from Pope Francis` official Twitter Feed)
In the U.S., President Barack Obama joined the victims and their families in mourning. “On behalf of all the American people, Michelle [the First Lady] and I send our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of the tragic ferry sinking off the coast of the Republic of Korea,” President Obama said in a statement. “Our hearts ache to see our Korean friends going through such a terrible loss, especially the loss of so many young students.”
The U.S. president continued to promise to provide every assistance requested by the country. “Korea is one of our closest allies and the bonds of friendship between the American and Korean people are strong and enduring. American Navy personnel and U.S. Marines are already on the scene, assisting with the search and rescue efforts.”
The White House sends condolences to the ferry victims and their families via its official Twitter Feed. (captured image from the White House official Twitter Feed)
On the same day, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolences over the sinking of the passenger ship, too. “I learned with shock and profound sorrow of the unfortunate and severe accident of the Sewol-ho ferry which has caused a significant number of young students to lose their lives. I wish to extend deep condolences to the victims and sincere sympathy to the families of the victims, the missing and the injured,” said the Chinese leader. “China is always ready to provide any necessary support or assistance to Korea,” he added.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on April 19 that, “Our deepest sympathies are with the victims of the sunken ship, to those young people in particular. We send our heartfelt condolences to all the Korean people and pray for a quick recovery of all the injured.” A day earlier, the Russian president also sent words of condolences to Prime Minister Chung Hong-won.
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, earlier on April 16, expressed his sympathy to the families of the victims, the Korean government and other people in his home country, while praising the sacrifices and efforts undertaken by the rescue workers.
Words of sympathy came from Buckingham Palace in London, as well. Queen Elizabeth II sent a letter of condolences to President Park Geun-hye on April 18, saying that, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, the missing and their families.”
A day earlier, British Prime Minister David Cameron shared in the national grief, as he said in a statement that, “The United Kingdom feels deep sorrow and heartache over this tragedy. Our thoughts always go to the victims and to those who risk their lives in the rescue efforts.”
In the meantime, Japanese officials prayed for the nation, too. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe released a statement saying that, “We all send sincere condolences to the victims of the ferry accident.” Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said with deep condolences that, “We are ready to offer all possible cooperation needed to help Korea deal with this tragedy.”
Tumblr users post a series of messages and drawings to extend their sympathy to the ferry victims and their families. (captured images from Tumblr)
The European Union (EU) also shared its deep sympathies in an April 16 statement that said, “It was with great sadness that Catherine Ashton, the EU High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, heard of the accident that befell the Korean ferry Sewol-ho off the island of Jindo. She would like to express her deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims. Her thoughts are with them during this tragic time.”
Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs John Baird also released a statement with his condolences on April 16. Following that, he talked to his Korean counterpart, Yun Byung-se, on the phone, promising that Canada is ready to provide all necessary assistance required to recue those yet unaccounted for.
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs also sent its deep condolences to families of the victims who lost their lives in the capsized ferry.
The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) prayed for all the victims in a statement, saying that, “We express our sincere condolences. We will surely offer any form of support and assistance when the size and situation of the disaster become clear.”
The Japanese Red Cross also stepped forward to offer a helping hand, as it said in a statement that, “We extend our deepest sympathy to the heartbreaking loss and we are ready to provide any sort of assistance if needed.”
The Red Cross of Vietnam, too, sent a message, saying that, “We send our heartfelt condolences to all the victims and their families. We will support all rescue activities by the Korean Red Cross.”
A Twitter user posts a drawing for the families and victims of the Sewol-ho ferry accident. (captured image from Twitter)
There is an old Korean saying that when neighbors go through difficult times, their bonds of friendship are strengthened. During our current times of grief, we are grateful to you all.
By Korea.net