More bodies recovered from capsized South Korean ferry

SEOUL, May 14 (UPI) -- Almost a month after the Sewol ferry capsized off the coast of South Korea, the recovery of passengers' bodies continued on Wednesday, bringing the death toll to 281.

23 passengers remain missing.

Divers recovered five bodies Wednesday during a search that was expected to focus on the the kitchen and cabins of the third deck, cabins on the fourth deck and the pilothouse on the fifth deck.

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

South Korea's emergency task force said that it will draft a new search plan after Thursday's search concludes, with one official saying "If the vessel needs to be raised, we will do under a consensus with families (of the victims)."