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South Korea ferry rescue under way South Korea ferry rescue under way
(35 minutes later)
A ferry with about 450 people on board is sinking off the south-west coast of South Korea, coastguard officials say.A ferry with about 450 people on board is sinking off the south-west coast of South Korea, coastguard officials say.
Most of the passengers are secondary school students on their way from Incheon to the southern resort island of Jeju, officials added.Most of the passengers are secondary school students on their way from Incheon to the southern resort island of Jeju, officials added.
Coastguard and naval vessels and helicopters have gone to the scene.Coastguard and naval vessels and helicopters have gone to the scene.
Many passengers have already been lifted off and TV reports say remaining passengers have been told to jump into the sea to await rescue.Many passengers have already been lifted off and TV reports say remaining passengers have been told to jump into the sea to await rescue.
Images from the scene showed the ferry listing at a severe angle and then largely submerged.Images from the scene showed the ferry listing at a severe angle and then largely submerged.
Vice-Minister of Security and Public Administration Lee Gyeong-og said he could confirm that 110 passengers had been rescued so far.Vice-Minister of Security and Public Administration Lee Gyeong-og said he could confirm that 110 passengers had been rescued so far.
A total of 34 naval, coastguard and civilian ships were involved in rescue efforts, as well as 18 helicopters, he said.A total of 34 naval, coastguard and civilian ships were involved in rescue efforts, as well as 18 helicopters, he said.
South Korean President Park Geun-hye had ordered coast guard commandos to be mobilised to search the ship so that no-one was left behind, Yonhap news agency reported.
"The ship is taking in water and sinking," a coastguard spokesman told AFP news agency by phone."The ship is taking in water and sinking," a coastguard spokesman told AFP news agency by phone.
"There are around 450 people on board and we have coastguard vessels, commercial ships in the area, as well as helicopters all engaged in the rescue operation," the spokesman said."There are around 450 people on board and we have coastguard vessels, commercial ships in the area, as well as helicopters all engaged in the rescue operation," the spokesman said.
It is not yet clear what caused the incident, but Yonhap news agency reported that the ship had run aground.It is not yet clear what caused the incident, but Yonhap news agency reported that the ship had run aground.
One passenger told the YTN news channel: "We heard a big thumping sound and the boat stopped.One passenger told the YTN news channel: "We heard a big thumping sound and the boat stopped.
"The boat is tilting and we have to hold on to something to stay seated," the passenger said."The boat is tilting and we have to hold on to something to stay seated," the passenger said.
News agencies said the ferry had sent out a distress signal about 20km (12 miles) off the island of Byungpoong at about 09:00 local time (00:00 GMT).News agencies said the ferry had sent out a distress signal about 20km (12 miles) off the island of Byungpoong at about 09:00 local time (00:00 GMT).
Earlier reports put the number of passengers at about 350. The vessel is reported to have a capacity of up to 900 people. It was bound for Jeju, a popular tourist destination, carrying mainly school students.
Angry parents have gathered at the school to demand answers, reports the BBC's Lucy Williamson in Seoul.
They are questioning why the ship was allowed to leave amid reports of bad weather, our correspondent says.
Earlier reports put the number of passengers on the ferry at about 350. The vessel is reported to have a capacity of up to 900 people.
Are you in the area? Do you have any information you would like to share? Please send us your comments. You can email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line 'South Korea ferry'.Are you in the area? Do you have any information you would like to share? Please send us your comments. You can email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line 'South Korea ferry'.