The ferry was on route from Incheon

Rescuers are battling against bad weather, murky water and strong currents as they continue to search for survivors following the South Korea ferry disaster.

As many as 300 people are still missing following the incident yesterday, with 179 so far pulled to safety.

At least nine people are so far confirmed to have died on board the ship, named Sewol, which was travelling from Incheon port, in the north-west, to the southern resort island of Jeju.

Many of the passengers on board the vessel were school children from Danwon high school in Ansan, near the capital, Seoul.

Naval and coastguard vessels used floodlights and flares overnight to maintain a search.

As many as 500 divers, 169 vessels and 29 aircraft are now involved in the operation.

The cause of the sinking is not yet clear, but some experts have suggested the ship may have hit an underwater obstacle.

Some of the passengers managed to jump into the ocean, wearing life jackets, and swim to nearby vessels.