As the vessel tilted further, moving through corridors and stairways became increasingly difficult. Furniture and other objects shifted, while water began entering parts of the ship. Passengers who had remained inside faced a growing risk of becoming trapped as the angle of the ferry changed.
Outside, rescue personnel began responding to the emergency. Coast Guard vessels, helicopters, and nearby boats became involved in efforts to save those aboard. Some passengers managed to reach the exterior of the ship or enter the water, where rescuers could reach them. Fishing boats and other civilian vessels also played a significant role in bringing survivors to safety.
Yet the rescue did not save everyone.
The ferry continued to capsize and eventually sank. Of the 476 people aboard, 172 survived and 304 died or were lost in the disaster. Most of those who died were students travelling on the school trip.
For families waiting on shore, the hours after the first reports were filled with uncertainty. Early announcements about the rescue were confusing, and information changed as authorities attempted to determine how many people had escaped. Parents and relatives searched for reliable updates, hoping that their children would be among the survivors.
