Prosecutors in South Korea have asked a court to issue arrest warrants for the captain and two other crew members of the ferry that sank on Wednesday.

28 are confirmed dead, and efforts to find the 268 people still missing have been hampered by low visibility and strong currents.

It's reported a high school deputy head rescued from the ferry has been found dead - foul play is not suspected.

Reporter with Yon Hap news in Seoul, John Power, said a junior officer - and not the captain - was at the helm of the ferry when it capsized.