Russia ready to assign divers, hardware to South Korea dealing with ferry disaster
MOSCOW. April 21 (Interfax) - Russian Emergency Situations Minister Vladimir Puchkov is ready to assist South Korea in the search-and-rescue operation evolving on the site of the April 16 ferry wreck in the Yellow Sea.
"We sympathize with the people of the Republic of Korea and are ready to render comprehensive support to the victims. The Russian Emergency Situations Ministry can assign specialized diving equipment and proficient divers at any minute," a report posted on the ministry website quoted Puchkov as saying.
The minister extended his condolences to the South Korean government over the ferry sinking.
"We mourn the missing people together with their families and hope that the efforts of search-and-rescue units will bear fruit," Puchkov said.
The ferry Sewol sank off the southwestern coast of South Korea on April 16. According to the latest updates, the death toll has grown to 64 and 238 passengers are missing.
There were 476 people, mostly high school students going to a seaside resort, aboard the ferry at the moment of the wreck.
Search-and-rescue operations continue on the wreck site.
