On the morning of April 16, the passenger ferry MV Sewol carrying 476 people sank in the ocean off the southern coast of South Korea.

On the same day, APADM Korea member Korea Disaster Relief Association (KDRA) headed for the disaster area carrying supplies such as blankets, food and water and set up an emergency aid headquarters on the site to help the rescued victims and the family members waiting for news about their missing loved ones.

APADM staff members were in Seoul at the time of the accident and took the opportunity to visit KDRA’s office and interview Mr. Park, KDRA’s Secretary-General, about the accident’s possible cause, the rescue operations, and the current situation regarding their emergency response activities.

As of this moment, KDRA is still on the ground helping the victims’ families. The rescue operations has so far been able to save 174 people, while 152 remain missing, and 150 are confirmed dead.