In all, 176 people were evacuated on the day of the incident and the next few days were crucial for finding possible survivors in the air pockets but bad weather conditions made it difficult to carry out the rescue and only a few bodies could be recovered.
A week later, the sea conditions improved and most of the corpses were recovered, but since last Sunday, high tides and strong currents again started interfering with the rescue efforts.
Late Tuesday, only five bodies could be retrieved, which took the toll to 210, while the number of missing people is 92 and all hopes of finding anyone alive have already disappeared.
While the investigation report into the cause of the wreck is awaited, it is believed that the ferry made a brisk turn which displaced 180 vehicles and 1,157 tonnes of cargo to one side, leading to disbalancing and overturning of the boat.
The high number of deaths is attributed to the delay by the captain and the crew in ordering evacuation and instead asking the passengers not to move from their places.
The captain and several members of the crew remain under custody for allegedly abandoning the ferry before the passengers.
The shipwreck has also created a political storm in South Korea.
On Tuesday, South Korean President Park Geun-hye apologized in the face of strong criticism due to the government's lack of prevention and proper management of the incident.
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