Rescuers aid people on board a sinking South Korean passenger ship in water off the southern coast in South Korea, April 16, 2014. A passenger ship with 477 people aboard, mostly high school students, sank in waters off South Korea's south coast Wednesday morning, with two people dead and 14 others wounded, local media reported. (Xinhua/Newsis)

Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has sent a condolence message to South Korean President Park Geun-Hye on the recent ferry sinking, the Fijian government said Thursday.

A passenger ship carrying 475 people, mostly high school students, capsized in waters off South Korea's southwest coast on Wednesday, leaving at least nine people dead and 287 others still missing, media reports said.

In his message to Park Geun-Hye, Bainimarama conveyed sympathy on behalf of the people and government of Fiji.

"I extend to you and the people of the Republic of Korea my sincerest condolences and that of the people of Fiji on the tragic accident involving the passenger ferry that sank in the southern coast of your nation," a statement from the Ministry of Information quoted Bainimarama as saying.

"Comforting thoughts are difficult at a time like this especially where young people and children are also involved. Our thoughts are with the people of your nation and we pray that God's peace be upon the victims of their families," added Bainimarama.