Mokpo: Arrest warrants have been issued for the first mate and helmsman suspected of grounding a ferry off the southwestern coast earlier this week, the Coast Guard said. The two crewmen, both in their 40s, were detained by the Coast Guard on Thursday on suspicion that they grounded the 26,546-ton Queen Jenuvia II carrying 246 passengers and 21 crew members by not properly steering the ferry while on duty.
According to Yonhap News Agency, following a court hearing earlier in the day, the Mokpo branch of the Gwangju District Court approved the warrants on concerns they could destroy evidence or flee, as stated by the Mokpo Coast Guard in charge of the probe. Upon arriving for the court hearing, the first mate expressed remorse, stating he was "very sorry for causing harm to the passengers," and added that he feels "especially sorry" for a pregnant woman who was among the 30 passengers injured and had to undergo hospital treatment.
Addressing suspicions about his conduct during the incident, the first mate admitted to briefly checking Naver, an internet portal site, but insisted he manually controlled the ferry during course changes. The Indonesian helmsman refrained from commenting when questioned by reporters.
The Coast Guard is also planning to request an arrest warrant for the ship's captain, in his 60s, who is accused of being absent from the wheelhouse at the time of the accident, on charges of violating the Seafarers Act. The ferry was en route to the port city of Mokpo after departing from the southern island of Jeju. Fortunately, none of the passengers sustained serious injuries, though some were taken to hospitals after experiencing mild pains or nervous breakdowns.