SEOUL, April 16 (UPI) -- At least two people died after a ferry carrying 476 people, including more than 300 high school students, began sinking off the southwestern coast of South Korea on Wednesday.
Though emergency crews raced to the 6,325-ton vessel, named Sewol, in time to rescue about 180 people, at least 290 remained missing.
Passengers sliding out of capsized ferry and scrambling toward rescue boats. pic.twitter.com/5G5WGSkeLn
Advertisement— Chico Harlan (@chicoharlan) April 16, 2014
Students and teachers from Danwon High School had boarded the ferry in Incheon for a trip to the Jeju resort island.
Though its unclear what caused the ship to sink, one witness told YTN News that they heard a "thumping sound." Other reports indicated that the ferry had sailed into rocks.
[BBC News, NY Times, Bloomberg]