Bones, likely to be human, have been recovered at a wartime undersea mine in western Japan where about 180 mostly Korean forced laborers died in an accident in 1942, according to a Japanese civil group helping in the search for their remains, Associated Press reported.

Three possible limb bones and a skull were found in the past two days by Korean divers at the former site of the Chosei Mine in Yamaguchi prefecture, according the group known as Kizamu Kai. 

The bones were to be examined by local police to determine whether they belong to any of the victims who died at the mine 83 years ago.

If confirmed, the discovery is expected to accelerate efforts to recover other remains of the 136 Korean forced laborers and 47 Japanese workers killed in the mine collapse, according to Associated Press.