New Democrat MLAs Jane Shin (Burnaby-Lougheed) and Selina Robinson (Coquitlam-Maillardville) issued the following statement on the South Korean ferry carrying 475 passengers that sank near Mokpo on its way to Jeju Island on Wednesday, April 16:

“Burnaby and Coquitlam are home to many residents and international students with close ties to South Korea. We join them in mourning this devastating tragedy.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who died and the 287 passengers who are still missing. The loss they are facing is particularly tragic given the young age of many of the victims.

“We hope that the ongoing search and rescue efforts will bring the missing back to their families.”