On February 8, 2014, the Sewol ferry capsized and sank off the coast of Jindo, South Korea, killing 304 people, most of them students. The ferry was overloaded and had made illegal modifications that affected its stability. The crew abandoned ship during the disaster, leaving passengers behind, many of whom were trapped in the lower decks. The tragedy led to widespread protests and public outrage, particularly due to the mishandling of the emergency response. In the aftermath, South Korea implemented stricter regulations on ferry safety and maritime law enforcement.