Seoul, Nov 20 (V7N) — A passenger ferry carrying 267 people became stranded near an island off South Korea’s southwestern coast on Wednesday. All passengers were safely rescued by the Coast Guard after several hours of effort, according to the BBC.

The 26,000-ton ferry, bound for Jeju Island, reportedly went off course due to navigational errors by the ship’s officers or captain and ran aground near the coast.

Following the incident, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung ordered immediate rescue operations. Passengers were evacuated one by one using Coast Guard boats.

No casualties have been reported. Authorities have arrested two individuals in connection with the incident, and an investigation into the cause is underway.

END/SMA/AJ