SEOUL, Nov 19 (Reuters): A South Korean passenger ferry with 267 people on board ran aground on Wednesday near the southwestern coast of the Korean peninsula, prompting a rescue operation and reminding many of a tragic ferry disaster from 2014.

President Lee Jae Myung, who is currently in the Middle East, has urged for a quick rescue of everyone on the ferry to ensure their safety. He also requested that updates about the rescue be shared publicly, according to Yonhap News Agency.

The coast guard reported that all available resources are being used for the rescue and that they have not yet found any casualties. They also confirmed that the ferry is not taking on water.

RESCUE BOATS ARE ON THE WAY

The ferry, named Queen Jenuvia 2, is a 26,000-ton vessel that was on its way from Jeju Island to Mokpo. The ferry's operator, Seaworld Ferry, states that it can hold up to 1,010 passengers and has several lower decks for large vehicles and cars.

A coast guard representative indicated that the ferry had hit a rocky island near Jindo.

Video footage showed passengers wearing life vests as they waited to be rescued. Boats were approaching the ferry, which was stuck at the edge of a small island but remained upright, with passengers appearing calm.

The weather at the site was reported to be fair with light winds.

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok has ordered that all resources, including vessels and equipment, be mobilized for the rescue operation, his office stated.

REMEMBERING A PAST TRAGEDY

The 2014 sinking of the Sewol ferry is still fresh in the minds of many in South Korea. This tragic event, which led to the deaths of over 300 people—mostly school children on a trip to Jeju Island—remains one of the country's worst disasters.

The Sewol ferry was on its way from the west coast port of Incheon when it sank near the location of Wednesday's incident, though it was situated further from the island of Jindo.

It was later revealed that the Sewol was overloaded and had been illegally modified to carry more passengers than it was designed for. The ferry made a turn too quickly, started to list, and eventually tipped over as passengers awaited a slow rescue. The tragedy unfolded live on television.

Many victims were found in their cabins, where crew members had told them to stay put, while the captain and some of the crew were among the first to be rescued by arriving coast guard vessels.