A ferry in South Korea that was heading to Jeju Island sank on Wednesday.

According to ABS-CBNNews, South Korean rescue teams as well as elite navy SEAL divers went in search for the passengers of the capsized ferry that sank 20 kilometers off the southern island of Byungpoong.

The Los Angeles Times reports that the ferry was reportedly carrying 462 passengers and crew, mostly high school students along with their teachers.

It was initially announced that 368 people had been rescued and said it could only confirm that 164 people had been brought to safety. The public was alarmed when the government announced an updated number.

By late Wednesday, authorities had reportedly confirmed four passengers killed, 55 injured and more than 280 missing. Of those on board, there were 325 students and 15 teachers from Danwon High School in Ansan city near Seoul, South Korea.

A screen shot of a mother and student's exchange of love as the ferry slowly started to sink went viral, adding to the emotional distress.

A rescued passenger, Kim Sung-mook, told South Korean broadcaster YTN that he was eating breakfast when he heard a loud bang as the ship suddenly turned onto its side.

Kim stated, "The students were falling over onto each other and bleeding."

Military divers have reportedly tried searching for survivors who might be trapped inside the ferry. Sadly, the water was murky, making visibility very poor.

Those who were rescued were reportedly taken to a gymnasium on the nearby Jindo Island, where students could be reunited with their parents.

The sunken ferry, Sewol, was 6,825 tons and was built in Japan in 1994. The vessel is reportedly capable of accommodating up to 921 passengers and was also carrying 150 cars.

Authorities have announced that the U.S. Navy ship Bonhomme Richard, which was on a routine patrol in the Yellow Sea, was also on the way to help with the search.