(FOX NEWS) South Korea's president described the actions of a sunken ferry's crew as "unforgivable" and "murderous" Monday as a prosecutor said that four more crew members had been detained on charges that they had allegedly failed to protect the stricken vessel's passengers.
South Korean President Park Geun-hye made the comments Monday at a Cabinet briefing, saying that the captain and crew "told the passengers to stay put but they themselves became the first to escape, after deserting the passengers." Park added that "legally and ethically, this is an unimaginable act."
Senior prosecutor Ahn Sang-don told reporters Monday that two first mates, one second mate and a chief engineer had been accused of abandoning the ship. Ahn says prosecutors are considering whether to ask a court for a formal arrest warrant that would allow for a longer period of investigation. South Koreans can only be detained for 48 hours without a court-issued formal arrest warrant. The ferry's captain and two other crewmembers were previously formally arrested on suspicion of negligence and abandoning people in need.
Advertisement - story continues below
