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.
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.