All 246 passengers aboard a ferry that ran aground off the southwestern county of Sinan on Wednesday were safely rescued.

According to the Mokpo Coast Guard, all rescued passengers arrived at North Port in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, at 12:52 a.m. Thursday, roughly four and a half hours after the accident was reported.

Fire authorities transported 27 passengers with minor injuries to nearby hospitals. Others either returned home or were provided temporary accommodations by the ferry operator.

The vessel's 21 crew members remained onboard to assist with follow-up procedures.

The Queen Jenuvia 2, carrying 267 passengers and crew, ran aground at the uninhabited islet of Jok, close to Jangsan Island in Sinan, around 8:17 p.m. while en route from Jeju to Mokpo.

The 26-thousand-546-ton ferry, which entered service in February of last year, has a capacity of about one-thousand passengers and 480 vehicles.