The confirmed death toll from the ferry’s sinking has continued to rise with 64 dead and 238 missing as of Monday morning. The government of Ms Park has come under fire for its response to the tragedy. The President condemned the actions of some of the crew, who failed to instruct passengers to wear life jackets and move evacuation points, and then escaped the sinking vessel while many of its passengers were left to perish.
"Above all, the conduct of the captain and some crew members is unfathomable from the viewpoint of common sense, and it was like an act of murder that cannot and should not be tolerated,” Park was quoted by Yonhap News Agency as telling aides.
Captain Lee Joon-seok, and two other crew members were arrested last week on negligence charges. On Monday prosecutors announcing four further arrests - two first mates, one second mate and a chief engineer.
The search and rescue operation has managed to pull some 179 people to safety since the 6,825-tonne ferry sank last Wednesday carrying 476 passengers and crew.
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