South Korean Ferry Grounds with 267 Onboard, Rescue Underway

A South Korean passenger ferry carrying 267 people ran aground on rocks off the southwestern coast late Wednesday, prompting a swift rescue operation with no immediate reports of casualties, according to coast guard officials.

The 26,000-tonne vessel, operated by Seaworld Ferry and known as the Queen Jenuvia, was en route from Jeju Island to the port city of Mokpo when it struck a rocky reef near Sinan County in South Jeolla Province around 8:17 p.m. The ship, which has a capacity for 1,010 passengers and vehicles on multiple lower decks, became lodged and could not free itself under its own power. Coast guard statements indicated the ferry remained upright, with no signs of water intake, sinking, capsizing, or pollution. Video footage from the scene showed passengers calmly wearing life vests on deck as rescue boats approached, under fair weather conditions with light winds.

Coast guard patrol vessels arrived at the site by approximately 8:40 p.m. and initiated safety operations. Two tugboats were dispatched to assist in refloating the ferry, while authorities mobilized all available resources, including additional ships and equipment. A coast guard official noted that the bow...