Death toll from ferry rises to 46

McClatchy Newspapers

SEOUL, South Korea

The number of people killed in the sinking of the South Korean ferry, the Sewol, has risen to 46, national media reported today.

The toll increased after divers discovered more bodies in the wreckage of the completely submerged vessel, broadcaster KBS reported.

More than 250 are still missing, mostly high-school students, after the accident Wednesday off the country’s southwestern coast.

The vessel’s captain, who according to initial investigations was not at the helm when the ship encountered problems, was arrested on Saturday.

Arrest warrants were issued for two other crew members.

There were 476 passengers and crew on the ship, including at least 320 students and 15 teachers from Danwon High School in Ansan, near Seoul, when it began to capsize while traveling from Incheon to the southern resort island of Jeju.