Two people have died and more than 290 people are officially missing in the sinking of a South Korean passenger ferry, dpa quoted national media as reporting Wednesday. Dozens of ships and aircraft were involved in rescue efforts for the 477 people who were aboard the Sewol ferry, which sank off the country's southern coast, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported. The ship completely sank two hours after first experiencing problems, the report said. The two dead were reportedly a 27-year-old female crew member and a high school student. Yonhap said there were 325 students from a high school near Seoul on board the vessel. The students were on a trip to Jeju island, about 80 kilometres south of the mainland. The Navy sent 22 vessels and a helicopter along with special forces including divers to rescue passengers that had jumped from the ship. The South Korean air force and army each dispatched planes and helicopters to joint the effort led by the coast guard.
