Dozens of rescue boats and helicopters are scrambling to
save more than 470 people, including many high school students, caught on a
ferry sinking off South Korea's southern coast, officials said. There are no
immediate reports of causalities.
The ferry with 476 people including 325 high school
students was sailing to the southern island of Jeju when it sent a distress
call Wednesday 16/04/2014 morning as it began leaning to one side, according to
Ministry of Security and Public Administration.
Local media photographs showed the ship heavily tilted
onto its side, partially submerged, as helicopters flew overhead and rescue
vessels and a small boat covered with an orange tarp floated nearby.
The students are from a high school in Ansan city near Seoul and they were on their way to the Jeju Island for a four-day trip, according to a relief team set up by Gyeonggi Province, which governs the city. The ship left Incheon port, just west of Seoul, on 15-04-2014 Tuesday evening, according to the state-run Busan Regional Maritime Affairs & Port Administration.
The students are from a high school in Ansan city near Seoul and they were on their way to the Jeju Island for a four-day trip, according to a relief team set up by Gyeonggi Province, which governs the city. The ship left Incheon port, just west of Seoul, on 15-04-2014 Tuesday evening, according to the state-run Busan Regional Maritime Affairs & Port Administration.
A total of 18 helicopters and 34 rescue boats have been
sent to the area, Vice Minister Lee Gyeong-og told a televised news conference.
He said President Park Geun-hye has ordered a through rescue operation to
prevent any human casualties.