The trial of fifteen crew members of the sunken South Korean ferry, Sewol, is underway.<br /><br />Amid scenes of anger and frustration Captain Lee Joon-seok and three others are accused of “homicide through wilful negligence.” <br /><br />The 11 other crew members are facing lesser charges of criminal negligence and violations of maritime law. <br /><br />The number of dead in the sinking has now reached 292 with 12 still missing.<br /><br />The trial will highlight Captain Lee’s escape as hundreds remained trapped as the ferry lurched and then capsized. <br /><br />If convicted Lee and the three others could face the death penalty, but it is unlikely the sentence would be carried out.<br /><br />Most of the victims of the disaster were students.<br /><br />Korean authorities have launched a manhunt for businessman Loo Byung-Eun, the fugitive owner of the marine company that operated the ferry. <br /><br />Prosecutors believe the ship sank from overloading and or changes to the internal structure of the vessel.
