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South Korea ferry sinks with more than 470 on board, at least 2 dead

A ferry carrying more than 300 high school students capsized off the coast of South Korea.

By Kate Stanton

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.

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]

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