During the time of the major South Korean ferry accident, a prosecutor said the third mate who was steering the ship was navigating those waters for the first time, reports AP.
“The 25-year-old mate was steering the ship as it passed through an area with lots of islands clustered close together and fast currents,” said senior prosecutor Yang Jung-jin to reporters.
More than 270 people are still missing after the ferry sank on Wednesday.
Yang said that another mate usually took controls through the area. However, since heavy fog caused a departure delay, the third mate was steering the ship through the waters.
“Investigators have not confirmed whether the ship was going faster than usual,” said Yang.
Police have arrested the ferry captain on suspicion of negligence and abandoning people in need.
