Day and night on Jindo Island seemed to have no boundaries as relatives of hundreds of missing people waited for news with tears and fading hope.

Yesterday, many relatives collapsed to the ground and cried while participating in a Buddhist ceremony on Jindo Island to pray for their loved ones to return.

Nearly four days have passed since the ferry weighing more than 6,000 tons sank in the southwestern waters of Korea, but rescuers have found no signs of survivors.

Sewol ferry relatives are exhausted waiting for news

Relatives are angry with the Korean government

The pain among many victims’ families turned into anger when they met with South Korean officials today.

`They should have quickly rescued the survivors. We heard that the survivors were dying in the ferry,` said a man whose daughter was missing.

However, rescue work at sea is facing difficulties due to big waves, high winds and limited visibility.

Relatives are angry with the Korean government

South Korea stepped up efforts to rescue the Sewol ferry

Four large cranes were moved to the scene of the sinking of the Sewol ferry to pull the ferry’s body, at a depth of about 35 m, to an area with weaker currents or salvage it.

Officials said salvaging the ferry will not take place until all victims trapped inside are taken out to avoid endangering them.

108 naval ships, 61 civilian ships and 535 rescue workers are participating in the search operation for about 270 missing people.

The captain of the Sewol ferry was arrested

Captain Lee Joon-seok was arrested early this morning by Korean police to investigate charges of manslaughter and violation of maritime regulations.

Two other members of the crew were also arrested, including a 55-year-old co-pilot and a 25-year-old woman, because they were suspected of not slowing down and suddenly changing the ferry’s direction in an area with many islands close together.

The captain of the Sewol ferry was arrested

President Obama pledged to support South Korea

`On behalf of all Americans, Michelle and I would like to send our deepest and most sincere condolences to the families of the victims in the ferry tragedy off the coast of Korea,` Yonhap quoted the US president’s announcement.

Mr. Obama pledged that Washington would fully support the ongoing search and rescue efforts in South Korea.

Obama is scheduled to make a trip to Seoul on April 25, after visiting Japan.

President Obama pledged to support South Korea