Families of the Missing

[Anchor Lead]

The bereaved families of the nine missing Sewol ferry victims are waiting anxiously for the doomed ferry to be lifted and searched. The families have been watching the operation nearby, praying for success.

[Pkg]

It has been 1,072 days since the bodies of loved ones were buried in the cold water. The bereaved families of the missing Sewol ferry victims headed to the site of the tragedy aboard a fishery patrol boat. They are watching the lifting process about 1.6km from the site of the sinking. Although they are eager to offer a helping hand, all they can do now is just pray that the sunken ship is lifted as planned. Each time the lifting equipment on the barges moves, the bereaved families go through a roller coaster of emotions.

[Soundbite] Lee Keum-hee(Mother of Missing Sewol Tragedy Victim) : "My only wish is that the ferry is lifted and I can take my child home."

The families' anxiety escalated when the test-lifting took longer than expected on Wednesday. They have come here prepared to spend days in the boat. The families prayed that weather conditions wouldn't deteriorate.

[Soundbite] Heo Heung-hwan(Father of Missing Sewol Tragedy Victim) : "They say they can lift the ship. But we need the help of the weather."

Prior to coming to the site of the tragedy, the bereaved families announced a statement asking the public to join them in watching the lifting process from the standpoint of parents who have lost their children.

[Soundbite] Park Eun-mi(Mother of Missing Sewol Tragedy Victim) : "They want the return of their loved ones from the cold sea."

50 other members of bereaved families also arrived at the site of the Sewol ferry sinking to pray for the successful lifting of the ferry.