Almost 300 people are missing after a ferry sank off the coast of South Korea.
Four people have been confirmed dead so far – including a male student, a female crew member and another unidentified man.
The South Korean government says about 180 people have been rescued so far but 295 remain unaccounted for.
The ferry, with 476 people and 150 vehicles on board, was sailing to the southern island of Jeju when it sent a distress call at 9am local time (1am UK time) on Wednesday morning as it began listing to one side.
Within two hours it had completely capsized, with only the front part of its hull visible above the water.
A cause has yet to be established, although one witness told television channel YTN there had been a “loud impact and noise” before it began sinking.
Captain John Noble, a marine salvage expert, told Sky News the most likely explanation was the ferry hit a rock.
He added that passengers would have struggled to get off the ferry quite soon after it began listing.
“Once a ship gets beyond 20 degrees it is impossible for passengers to stand up without holding onto something,” he said… see more
source: skynews
Tags: Ferry sinks, South Korea, World
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