Though hundreds were saved, the fate of at least 290 people remains unknown from the deadly ferry sinking that occurred off the coast of Gwanmae Island.

A total of 475 people were believed to have been on board the 6,825-ton Sewol, of which 375 were high school students from Ansan Danwon High School who were headed to Jeju Island for a four-day field trip. The ferry sent a distress call at around 8:58 a.m. on April 16. Although rescuers rushed to the area, the ferry had already completely submerged in just two hours and 20 minutes after the first distress call was sent, hampering rescue efforts.

Although the official death count as of April 17 remains at six people, it is expected to rise given the low water temperatures and swift currents that have impeded rescue efforts. The cause of the sinking remains unclear.

The Sewol sinking is considered to be the worst maritime disaster Korea has experience in more than two decades.

By Park So-eun (spark@heraldcorp.com)