Seoul, Nov 22 (NationPress) - The South Korean Police, conducting an investigation into the recent grounding of a ferry on the southwestern coast, have requested arrest warrants for the first mate and helmsman of the vessel on charges of causing injury through gross negligence. The officials detained the first mate, a man in his 40s, and the helmsman, an Indonesian national also in his 40s, following the incident involving the 26,546-ton ferry named Queen Jenuvia II, which was carrying 246 passengers and 21 crew members.

According to reports from the Mokpo Coast Guard, the two are suspected of mishandling the ferry's steering while being distracted by other activities outside their work responsibilities. The first mate is believed to have been preoccupied with his phone at the moment of the accident, failing to alter the ferry's course approximately 1,600 meters from the site of grounding. Meanwhile, the helmsman, who was responsible for the direct operation of the vessel's navigation system, claimed he was engaged with the gyrocompass inside the wheelhouse.

The Coast Guard has also indicated plans to charge the ferry's captain, who is in his 60s, for being outside the wheelhouse at the time of the incident, violating the Seafarers Act.

The ferry was headed to Mokpo after departing from Jeju Island. Fortunately, while no passengers suffered severe injuries, some were taken to hospitals with complaints of mild discomfort or anxiety.