As the South Korea ferry tragedy continues to plague the community, the death toll has reached 171.

On Thursday, students from the high school which lost many classmates on the "Sewol" returned to school in a state of post-traumatic shock.

According to LA Times, over 100 grief counselors were stationed at the school to guide students through this difficult time.

“By being back in the school, the students will no longer feel isolated, and they can have a forum to express their difficult feelings,” said authorities of Danwon High School.

“Adolescents are typically vulnerable to emotional trauma even without a major event, and these students’ guilt and sadness could haunt them for a long time, so we need to ensure that they have steady counseling for an extended period."

Currently, 131 are still reported as missing on the South Korea ferry, but given that no survivors have been found yet, it is presumed that anyone not initially rescued have drowned, adding to the death toll.

There are reportedly discussions of using a crane to raise the ship, but consent must be given by all the missing persons' families, as it would be an admission that no survivors remain.

The vice principal of Danwon High School—Kang Min-Kyu—committed suicide by hanging last Friday. Having been rescued from the boat when so many of his students were not, he has asked his body be cremated and his ashes spread in the waters where the Sewol went down.