The death toll from last Wednesday's subway fire rose to 182 after forensic experts found 49 more sets of remains in the debris of the two scorched trains.
South Korean authorities investigating the fire have formally arrested the alleged arsonist along with six subway officials. The head of the subway corporation was removed from his position yesterday.
Forensic experts combing through the ashen debris have put together 49 more sets of remains, bringing the total death toll to 182, said Choi Chong-hoon, an official at the Central Disaster Center.
Most of the remains were so heavily burned and disintegrated, making immediate identification impossible, Choi said.
Until now, the centre had estimated a death toll of 133.
More than 300 people are still missing.
Officials said the death toll could still rise further, but they believe the number of missing people was greatly inflated by double reporting and confusion over the identities of the dead.
Kim Dae-han, 56, a mentally ill man who allegedly started the fire by igniting a carton filled with gasoline, faces a charge of manslaughter and could be executed if found guilty.
Six subway officials face charges of negligent manslaughter, which carries a maximum of five years in prison.
The actions of train operators who allowed the second train to arrive are also being investigated, and police said they will also look into suspicions that the subway corporation tried to cover up or destroy evidence of a possibly bungled response.
Most of the victims were passengers on the second train whose conductor allegedly fled without opening the doors, leaving victims trapped in the flames. Police said doors were open on only two of that train's six cars.