One dead, four missing after vehicle ferry capsizes off southwestern South Korea

One person is confirmed dead while four others have gone missing after a ferry transporting a cargo of vehicles capsized off the southwestern coast of South Korea on Monday, December 30.

Korea Coast Guard officials said the incident occurred at around 18:35 local time on Monday when the unnamed 83-tonne vessel overturned off the coast of Seosan, a city some 100 kilometres southwest of the capital Seoul.

Of the seven people who were believed to be on board, only two have been safely rescued while one individual was found suffering from cardiac arrest in one of the interior spaces shortly after 04:00 on Tuesday, December 31.

This individual, who has been identified as the vessel's captain, was pronounced deceased shortly afterwards.

Authorities said the search and rescue (SAR) effort is being hampered by strong currents, as the capsizing occurred during high tide.

The coast guard has since launched an investigation into the incident while conducting SAR operations using vessels and helicopters to attempt to locate the missing individuals.