Another set of remains found in raised Sewol ferry

JINDO-GUN, SOUTH KOREA - MARCH 26: In this handout photo released by the South Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, The sunken Sewol ferry on a semi-submersible transport vessel during the salvage operation in waters off Jindo, on March 26, 2017 in Jindo-gun, South Korea. The Sewol sank off the Jindo Island in April 2014 leaving more than 300 people dead and nine of them still remain missing. Workers are in the process of an attempt to raise the ferry from the water in the hope that the disasters' final victims will be found. (Photo by South Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries via Getty Images)
Watch the Sewol ferry being dragged ashore
00:40 - Source: CNN

Story highlights

All but nine of the victims' bodies were recovered initially

The captain of the ship was found guilty of murder in the sinking

Seoul, South Korea CNN  — 

Remains that appear to belong to a human were found in the wreckage of the Sewol ferry Monday, an official from South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries told CNN.

The ferry sunk more than three years ago, killing 304 people. Most of the victims were teenagers on a school trip to Jeju island.

South Korean authorities raised the vessel in March, hoping they could find the the missing bodies of nine people. Two have been identified.

The remains of a third person were discovered relatively intact, the official said. Authorities will conduct DNA testing to identify the individual.

The operation to lift the ship out of the sea involved some 450 people, including 50 divers, according to Lee Cheol-jo, head of the Sewol salvaging committee.

An investigation into the sinking found evidence of negligence by the coast guard and the ship’s captain and crew.

Lee Joon-seok, the captain, was found guilty of murder on appeal and sentenced to life in prison.

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Raising the dead from S. Korea ferry disaster
01:51 - Source: CNN

The incident was a black mark on the presidency of Park Geun-hye, who appeared to be absent during the unfolding disaster. Park has since been impeached and is facing corruption charges unrelated to the Sewol disaster.

CNN’s James Griffiths and Joshua Berlinger contributed to this report