The captain of the South Korean ferry, Sewol, that capsized and sank this week has apologised to the families of the victims.

He was speaking outside Gwangju District Court, where he had appeared following his arrest.

Amid suggestions he had delayed evacuation, Capt Lee Joon-seok, 69, said he had been worried that the water was cold and that there were no other boats around to help rescue passengers.

He faces charges including negligence of duty and violation of maritime law.