South Korea has dispatched helicopters and coast guard vessels to rescue 475 passengers from a ferry sinking off its southern coast, The Guardian reports.
"The ship is taking in water and sinking," a coastguard spokesman told AFP. "We have coast guard vessels, commercial ships in the area, as well as helicopters all engaged in the rescue operation."
South Korean media showed photos of the ferry leaning to one side for a time, before it completely capsized with only the forward part of its hull appearing above water.
About 160 passengers had been rescued so far, although at least two people had died, officials told Reuters. In addition to passengers, the ferry was carrying 150 vehicles.
The ferry sent a distress signal from about 12 miles off the island of Byungpoong, BBC reported.
This is a developing story, and will be updated as we learn more.