9 out of 475 confirmed dead, hundreds still missing in S Korea ferry sinking

Rescue boats sail around the South Korean passenger ship "Sewol" which sank, during their rescue operation in the sea off Jindo, April 17, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

9 people out of 475 have been confirmed dead, with nearly 290 still missing after S Korean passenger ship sinks off. The Chinese embassy in Seoul has said two Chinese citizens were on board the ship.

South Korean passenger ship "Sewol" was on an overnight journey to the tourist island of Jeju, when it overturned and sank off the coast of Jindo Island on Wednesday morning.

The Search operations for survivors of the tragedy have resumed overnight after being halted earlier due to bad weather. The South Korean Coast Guard says 20 divers tried to get inside the ship's wreckage but couldn't because of the current.

Two rescue vessels have also arrived at the site with more than 400 rescuers searching nearby waters overnight and into Thursday morning. The US Seventh Fleet said its warship, the USS Bonhomme Richard, which has helicopters on board and was on its way to the scene to help.