re: 293 missing in S. Korean ferry disaster

I used to take a ferry just like that from Fukuoka, Japan to Pusan, South Korea. They have sleeping berths, but what they really have is a couple of giant rooms where people spread out tatami-like mats on the floor and sleep. These ferry are usually packed and pretty festive, loaded with college kids drinking and stuff. If you weren't near an exit, it's hard to imagine an escape if you were in one of those huge common areas.

That is so horrible.