Seoul: All 267 passengers and crew were safely rescued after their ferry ran aground off South Korea's southwestern coast, the Coast Guard reported. Five passengers sustained minor injuries, but no deaths were reported.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the accident occurred at around 8:17 p.m. near Jangsan Island in Sinan County, 366 kilometers south of Seoul. The 26,546-ton Queen Jenuvia II was en route to the port city of Mokpo after departing from the resort island of Jeju. This vessel was carrying 246 passengers and 21 crew members when it grounded on a submerged rock near an uninhabited islet as it approached the waters off Jangsan Island.

The Coast Guard discovered a hole in the bow of the ship, but no flooding has been detected so far. Some passengers shared their experiences on social media, with one describing a loud bang and the ship tilting, followed by an announcement to put on life jackets.

Patrol vessels were dispatched by the Coast Guard to ensure passenger safety and facilitate their transfer to a nearby pier. Priority was given to children, pregnant women, and older adults, who were taken off first, while others waited on deck wearing life jackets. The ferry was also carrying 118 vehicles at the time of the accident.

President Lee Jae Myung ordered swift rescue efforts after being briefed on the situation during his visit to the United Arab Emirates. The presidential office emphasized the importance of preventing any loss of life and providing real-time updates to reassure the public.