All of the four Chinese passengers who boarded the ill-fated South Korean ferry, which sank off Jindo Island on 16 April, have been accounted for. But the sad news is that all four have perished in the accident, the Chinese embassy confirmed.

The body of the fourth Chinese passenger, a high school female student who boarded the South Korean ferry Sewol, was recovered on Friday, the Chinese embassy said. The embassy had earlier confirmed the death of three other Chinese passengers - two men and a woman.

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The fourth Chinese passenger was plucked from inside the sunken ferry on Friday as rescue divers discovered up to 48 bodies, all wearing life vests, in one of the ferry's cabin.

The cabin can only accommodate up to 30 passengers, prompting authorities to believe that the 40 passengers had cramped inside the cabin after the ferry's crew told them to wear life vests and not move to other areas to stabilize the vessel.

The four Chinese passengers were among the 476 people abroad Sewol, which was on its way to the tourist island of Jeju when it suddenly listed and sank off the waters in Jindo Island.

Of the 476 people on board, 325 were high school students from Danwon High School in Ansan who were on their way to a field trip in Jeju. They were accompanied by 15 teachers. Ansan is a suburb in Seoul where several Chinese immigrants are residing.

Authorities said some 183 bodies have been recovered from inside the vessel but several others are still missing, all presumed dead.

During his visit to South Korea, US President Barack Obama condoled with the South Korean government and suggested a moment of silence to give honor to those who perished in the tragedy.