A body of a female was recovered from the wreckage of the ferry Sewol on Tuesday, raising the confirmed death toll from the nation’s worst maritime disaster to 295.
The body was found in the women’s toilet on the ship’s fourth deck. With the latest recovery, which comes 102 days since the most recent, nine passengers remain unaccounted for.
The ferry sank off the coast of Jindo Island, South Jeolla Province, April 16. Of the 476 people on board, only 172 were rescued.
The accident sparked off the still ongoing debate over the country’s safety regulations, and launched a massive probe into the shipping industry that revealed a long-standing network of corruption involving former government officials.
In addition, the accident led to the drawing up of the so-called special Sewol bill that held the National Assembly in a deadlock for several months.
The bill, aimed at revealing the truth behind the accident, caused the ruling and opposition parties to lock horns for months, while families of the victims have taken to the streets to garner support for their cause.
koreaherald@heraldcorp.com
