Originally published April 17, 2014
South Korean news agencies say a ferry carrying almost 500 people sent out a distress signal early Wednesday morning.
The South Korean ferry ran into trouble as it was reportedly traveling from Incheon to the southern resort island of Jeju on the morning of April 16.
A South Korean newspaper reports thick fog may have obscured visibility and the ferry ran around on a reef at around 8:30 a.m.
After receiving a distress signal, Coast Guard, Navy and civilian vessels rushed to the scene.
Over 450 passengers were on board, including 324 high school students on a school trip.
There are conflicting reports as to the cause of the accident as despite reports of thick fog, Korea's meteorological agency says skies were clear Wednesday morning.
