frances kuo has more. >> reporter: these are photos of the ferry on its side off south korea's southwest coast. emergency crews on the water and in the air surround the sinking ship. the ferry was carrying more than 470 people, many of them high school students on a field trip to the southern island of jeju. on their way there, officials say the boat began listing badly. a distress call was sent. several helicopters and rescue boats raced to the scene. it's not yet clear what caused the ship to sink. frances kuo, nbc news. >>> now to new video that appears to show a very large gathering of al qaeda members who recently escaped from a yemen prison. u.s. counterterrorism officials are examining this 15-minute video that was posted on youtube by the terrorism research and analysis consortium. it's described as showing dozens of militants who escaped from a yemen prison in february. u.s. intelligence officials tell nbc news they are being greeted by al qaeda's number two in command. a former guantanamo bay detainee and top official for al qaeda in the arabian peninsula is also featured. u.s.

it's not yet clear what caused the ship to sink, frances kuo, nbc news. >>> we want to show you a new video that appears to show a large number of al qaeda members who apparently escaped from a prison. american officials examining the video. it's described as showing dozens of militants who escaped from a yemen prison in february. now, u.s. intelligence officials tell nbc news they are being greeted by al qaeda's number two in command. a former guantanamo bay detainee and top official for al qaeda in the arabian peninsula is also featured in the video. u.s. intelligence officials tell nbc news the video seems recent and authentic but there's nothing to indicate the gathering was plotted to have any targets. the video was posted on april 4th but it's unclear when it was taken. >>> michael bloomberg is pledging some big cash to support gun control efforts. the former new york city mayor has announced a $50 million investment to unite several gun-control groups he already funds into one larger umbrella organization. it will be called "every town for gun safety." and will attempt to compe