Death toll in ferry accident reaches 171 as search for missing continues

SEOUL, April 24 (UPI) -- The search for the bodies of passengers aboard the sunken ferry off the coast of South Korea continued Thursday.

Coast Guard, Navy, and civilian rescue workers searched the third and fourth decks of the capsized five story vessel. A task force briefing on Thursday noted that "Most of the corpses were retrieved were from cabins on the fourth floor and stairway leading to the third floor in the previous day."

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 said Thursday that 171 people have been confirmed dead while 131 remain missing.