Ferry with 476 people sinking off South Korea
April 16, 2014 08:09 am
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South Korean passenger ship carrying more than 470 people, including many high
school students, is sinking off the country’s southern coast Wednesday after
sending a distress call, 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 morning as it
began leaning to one side, according to Ministry of Security and Public
Administration.
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total of 18 helicopters and 34 rescue boats have been sent to the area and 110
people have been rescued so far, ministry officials said.
Photos
from south Korean media show the ship on its side as rescue vessels are nearby.
Government
officials say they have no further details. Calls to South Korea’s coast guard
headquarters weren’t immediately answered, AP reports.
