Seoul: All 267 passengers and crew were safely rescued after their ferry ran aground off South Korea's southwestern coast, the Coast Guard announced Thursday. The incident, which occurred this week, is under investigation with navigational errors being considered as a potential cause. According to Yonhap News Agency, the 26,546-ton Queen Jenuvia II, carrying 246 passengers and 21 crew members, ran aground near the uninhabited islet of Jok, close to Jangsan Island off Sinan County. The ferry, which was en route from Jeju Island to the port city of Mokpo, is located 366 kilometers south of Seoul. The ferry's hull was partially lodged onto Jok Islet, but fortunately, no serious injuries were reported. However, 27 individuals did experience pain due to the shock of the grounding. All aboard were successfully relocated to a nearby port using Coast Guard and other vessels. The Coast Guard's response involved deploying 17 patrol ships, four coastal rescue vessels, a plane, and special rescue personnel. Photos fro m the Mokpo Coast Guard depict officers assisting the passengers aboard the Queen Jenuvia II. Maritime authorities suspect human error led to the incident. Korea Coast Guard Commissioner Kim Yong-jin suggested the grounding might be due to mistakes by the captain or navigator. He emphasized the need for a thorough investigation while keeping all possibilities open. While a hole was discovered in the ship's bow, the Coast Guard confirmed no flooding had occurred. Passengers shared their experiences through social media, describing the loud bang and subsequent tilting of the ship, followed by announcements to don life jackets. Priority was given to evacuating children, pregnant women, and older adults, while others waited on deck in life jackets. In response to the incident, President Lee Jae Myung, who was visiting the United Arab Emirates, ordered immediate rescue efforts to prevent any loss of life and directed authorities to provide real-time updates to the public.