ANSAN, South Korea (AP) — Students who survived the South Korean ferry disaster testified Monday they were repeatedly ordered by loudspeaker to stay in the sinking ship but eventually helped each other flee after their cabins were flooded too much.

The six girls testified Monday at a court session for 15 crew members responsible for the ship’s navigation who face charges of negligence and failing to perform their duties to rescue passengers, with four of them facing homicide charges. The students from Danwon High School near Seoul revealed how chaotic the scene on the ferry was, recalling they wore life jackets and were helped by friends to float out and leave flooded rooms. They saw some schoolmates swept away by the waters.