Death toll in a South Korean ferry sinking disaster continued to rise to 236 on Saturday as rescue operations lasted despite rapid currents and floating objects.

As of Saturday evening, 236 people have been confirmed dead as eight more bodies were recovered from the sunken vessel. The number of missing passengers fell to 66, with those rescued remaining unchanged at 174.

The deadly disaster entered the 18th day since the 6,825-ton ferry Sewol capsized off the country's southwestern coast on April 16.

Among 64 passenger cabins where bodies were believed to be trapped inside, 58 cabins have been searched. The remaining cabins were hard to enter as floating objects such as furniture and junks delayed divers' entrance into the rooms.

The area is famous for the second-fastest tidal currents in the country. Divers sought to plunge into waters when the currents became slower.

The 487 passengers aboard the submerged ship included 325 high school students and 24 teachers on their way for a class trip. Nationwide mourning ceremony has been held in a joint memorial altars.