This photo shows search and rescue efforts under way after a car ferry capsized off the southwestern coast, provided by the Taean Coast Guard in South Chungcheong Province, Dec. 30. Yonhap

The captain of a car ferry that capsized off the southwestern coast was found dead inside the ship, the Coast Guard said Tuesday.

The captain was among five people who went missing after the vessel, presumed to be carrying seven people, capsized in waters west of Seosan, about 100 kilometers southwest of Seoul, on Monday evening. Two people were rescued.

The body of the captain was found on the second floor of the ship at 4:34 a.m. in a state of cardiac arrest and was later pronounced dead, according to the Coast Guard.

Search and rescue efforts were under way to find the remaining four still missing.

The Coast Guard mobilized some 20 ships for the search efforts overnight, with plans to deploy five helicopters in the morning and bring in all personnel to search the coastal area. (Yonhap)