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South Korean ferry accident death toll rises to 152; 150 still missing

The official death toll for the now-sunken ferry off the coast of South Korea reached 152 on Wednesday. 150 people remain missing as divers continue an underwater search of the five-story vessel.

By JC Finley
Hull Technician 1st Class John Coffelt works on a hydraulic ram as a remote operated vehicle (ROV) looks on during a dive on the sunken Civil War Ironclad, USS Monitor, which rests 230 feet below the ocean's surface off the coast of Cape Hateras, North Carolina. (U.S. Navy/Chief Photographer's Mat Eric J. Tilford)
Hull Technician 1st Class John Coffelt works on a hydraulic ram as a remote operated vehicle (ROV) looks on during a dive on the sunken Civil War Ironclad, USS Monitor, which rests 230 feet below the ocean's surface off the coast of Cape Hateras, North Carolina. (U.S. Navy/Chief Photographer's Mat Eric J. Tilford)

SEOUL, April 23 (UPI) -- Divers continued their search and recovery for bodies of passengers aboard the capsized ferry off the coast of South Korea.

212 boats, 34 aircraft, and 550 personnel are involved in the operation. Coast Guard, Navy, and civilian divers searched the now sunken five-story vessel, retrieving bodies from the third and fourth decks on Wednesday.

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The ferry was carrying 476 people when it capsized on April 16. 174 passengers were rescued, including the captain and most of the crew.

The South Korean government confirmed that as of 2:30 p.m. local time on Wednesday, 152 people have been confirmed dead while 150 remain missing.

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