http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27045512?OCID=fbasia&ocid=socialflow_facebook15 April 2014 Last updated at 21:36 ET
South Korea ferry carrying 350 sinking
A ferry with about 350 people on board is sinking off the south-west coast of South Korea, coastguard officials have said.
Most of the passengers are secondary school students on their way from Incheon to the southern resort island of Jeju, officials added.
News agencies said the ferry had sent out a distress signal about 20km (12 miles) off the island of Byungpoong.
Coastguard and naval vessels and helicopters have gone to the scene.
The ferry is reported to be listing at a severe angle.
"The ship is taking in water and sinking," a coastguard spokesman told AFP news agency by phone.
"We have coastguard vessels, commercial ships in the area, as well as helicopters all engaged in the rescue operation," the spokesman said.
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.