AKIPRESS.COM - The captain of the Sewol ferry which sank in April, killing nearly 300 passengers, mostly high school students, is found guilty of gross negligence and sentenced to 36 years' prison.

More than 300 people died when the overloaded ferry capsized, most of them school students on an excursion to the island of Jeju, reports Reuters. 

Ferry captain Lee Joon-seok was acquitted him of the homicide charge for which prosecutors had sought the death penalty.

Lee was among 15 crew members on trial over the tragedy, one of South Korea's worst maritime disasters.

Lee was seen leaving the ferry along with crew members when the vessel began listing, while passengers remained inside.

The ship's chief engineer was found guilty of homicide for not aiding two injured fellow crew members and sentenced to 30 years' prison.

The court found all the remaining 13 surviving crew members guilty of various charges, including negligence, and handed down prison terms ranging from five to 20 years.

A South Korean prosecutor said his team would appeal against court rulings on the 15 crew of a capsized ferry.