Divers have recovered another body from the ill-fated ferry Sewol on Tuesday six months after the ferry capsized, claiming the lives of almost 300 passengers.
The found body, believed to be that of a woman, is reported to be considerably decomposed and was found in the fourth-deck female bathroom of the submerged ship, Yonhap reports.
With the most recent recovery, the death toll stands at 295 with nine more people still missing.
South Korean disaster response team is expected to lift the body on Wednesday when currents briefly subside, according to the news agency.
It has been three months since the last body was recovered from the wreck.
The wreck is still submerged as search efforts for the missing victims resume.
Court proceeding against the ferry’s captain and crew is underway.
Prosecution has asked for capital punishment for the 68-year-old ferry skipper on the grounds of failing to carry out his duty, an action which amounts to homicide.
The Sewol ferry sank off the southwestern island of Jindo on April 16 while en route to the southern resort island of Jeju with 476 people on board, predominantly high school students. Only 174 passengers were rescued.
The capsizing caused an outrage of the South Korean public, especially due to the failure of both the ferry’s crew and local Coast Guard to rescue more people.
World Maritime News Staff