Seoul, April 20 (IANS/EFE) Hopes of finding survivors of the sunken South Korean ferry Sewol from among the 269 people still missing were fading fast Saturday, with little progress being made at recovering the vessel, which is completely submerged.

For the third day, divers tried unsuccessfully to enter the ferry, which lies turned over on the bottom of the sea some 30 meters deep off the country’s southwestern coast, which practically ends any hopes of finding a single passenger alive.

Experts estimate that, even if there are air pockets inside the ship, they could only permit survival for about 72 hours.

That time has already passed without the 176 boats, 28 helicopters and airplanes, and more than 650 divers being able to activate their rescue plan inside the ferry.