The death toll from the South Korean ferry that capsized on Wednesday has risen to 52, according to FOX news.
Divers have broken the windows with axes to gain access to the ship as previous attempts to get in were thwarted by poor weather conditions.
Guiding ropes have been installed to help divers enter the ship, and it has been reported that the official death toll is likely to climb today as more bodies are recovered.
As of this morning, officials say there are 253 people missing after the sinking of the ship.
Carrying 476 passengers, the ferry had been travelling from the port of Incheon to the resort island of Jeju.
There are many high-school students among the missing and their families are undergoing a anguished wait for news of their loved ones.
The captain of the ferry, Lee Joon-seok, has been arrested on suspicion of negligence and abandoning people in need.
Two crew members have also been taken into custody, including a rookie third mate who a prosecutor said was steering in challenging waters unfamiliar to her when the accident occurred.
“I am sorry to the people of South Korea for causing a disturbance and I bow my head in apology to the families of the victims,” Lee told reporters yesterday morning as he left the Mokpo branch of Gwangju district court to be jailed.
