Evidence that Cheonan warship was sunk by "strong impact"

The first investigations into a sunken South Korean warship have revealed that it was hit by an outside impact of considerable force, according to the South Korean military. The Cheonan warship was sank on 26 March close to the disputed border with North Korea. At least 40 sailors were killed.

Photo: Reuters

The damage to the vessel was investigated by salvage teams on Saturday. They looked at the bow section after it had been brought to the surface a day earlier.

It revealed more evidence indicating that an external blast had been responsible. The Yonhap news agency reported an unidentified military official as claiming that initial inspections confirmed that an iron gate was off its hinges and a chimney was missing.

“This means there was a strong impact from the outside,” the official said.

The Cheonan was brought ashore later on Saturday for further inspection.

Pyongyang has denied it was to blame.