text: Relatives of the victims of a South Korean ferry sinking that killed more than 300 people a year ago have held a rally demanding the government salvage the vessel. The 6,825-tonne passenger ship sank off the southwest coast on April 16 last year with most of the victims, high school students. Thousands of protesters met in the capital Seoul to call on officials to raise the Sewol after senior government officials said they would 'consider it.' Scroll down for video . One year on: Relatives of the victims of a South Korean ferry sinking that killed more than 300 people a year ago and other civic members shout slogans during a rally in Seoul, South Korea, on Saturday . A total of 295 bodies were recovered from the ferry, and nine victims remained unaccounted for when divers finally called off the dangerous search of its interior last November. The demonstration is the latest in a series of protests with hundreds of bereaved parents, many with their heads shaved and clad in white mourning robes, marching 22 miles to Seoul from their home town of Ansan last week. President Park Geun-Hye has pledged to 'actively consider' raising the Sewol, taking into account the opinions of the relatives and salvage experts. But senior government officials said the salvage operation would cost £68million . Senior ministry official Yeon Yeong-Jin said: 'And that is only an estimate, as the final cost would be greatly dependent on weather conditions, technological uncertainties.' Protest: Demonstrators holding placards calling on the government to salvage the Sewol ferry in Seoul . Stricken: Rescue operations saved some of the passengers on a South Korean ferry Sewol that capsized on its way to Jeju island from Incheon, but 300 perished in the tragedy . The tragedy sparked nationwide grief and outrage as it became clear that regulatory failings, official incompetence and the ship's illegal redesign were the main causes. Park's administration was widely criticised for its response to the disaster, and her approval ratings have only just begun to recover. After months of political bickering, parliament passed a bill in November initiating an independent investigation into the sinking. But relatives have accused the government of trying to influence the probe by appointing officials to key posts in the 17-member inquiry committee. Unrest: Demonstrators clash with police officer while trying to march to the presidential Blue House after a rally in Seoul . Emotional: Protesters clash with police while a woman weeps while holding a placard calling on the government to salvage the wreck, one year after it sank killing 250 students . Wreck: People are calling on the South Korean government to raise the stricken Sewol at an estimated cost of £68 million . More than 50 people have been put on trial on charges linked to the disaster, including 15 crew members who were among the first to climb into lifeboats. The Sewol's captain was jailed in November for 36 years for gross negligence and dereliction of duty, while three other senior crew members were sentenced to jail terms of between 15 and 30 years.
target: Most victims of the disaster were high school students .
  President Park Geun-Hye promised to 'actively consider' raising it .
  Officials said it would cost £68million if weather conditions are good .
  Sewol's captain was jailed for 36 years for gross negligence last year .