The ferry, carrying mainly school students, was travelling from the port of Incheon, in the north-west, to the southern resort island of Jeju. 

 

A major rescue effort is under way, using dozens of ships and helicopters.

 

Several hours after the disaster, at least 290 people remained missing, local media said. 

 

South Korean officials had earlier said that 368 people had been plucked to safety, but later said there had been a counting error.

 

They have now revised down the number rescued to about 180, Yonhap news agency reported.

 

Two people are known to have died and at least 13 others have been injured, reports say.

 

Images showed the ferry listing at a severe angle and then later almost completely submerged, with only a small part of its hull² visible.

 

 

Pictures showed rescue teams balanced on the sinking hull pulling teenagers from cabin windows. Some of their classmates jumped into the sea as the ship went down.

 

Reports suggest some of those rescued were picked up by nearby commercial vessels³. 

 

Navy divers⁴ were now searching the scene for those unaccounted for, officials said.

 

One body, of a female crew member, had been recovered from the ship, the coastguard said. Another person is reported to have died after being rescued. 

 

One student told local media her friends became trapped. 

 

"Currently, I am in the middle of being rescued. At the time, the ship was turning on its side, and none of us were moving as we were told not to move as it was dangerous," the unnamed student said. 

 

"So, I am not well aware of the situation, but I am told that my friends and other friends could not escape as the passage was blocked. It seems that there are many students who could not get out as the passage was blocked by water."

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