Pyongyang, May 25 (UNI) North Korea has detained three officials as it intensified investigation into an accident that occurred during the launch of a new warship at the Chongjin Shipyard, state media reported.

The country's official news agency KCNA reported the three officials were "responsible for the accident".

North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un has described Wednesday's incident as a "criminal act" and said it was caused by "absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism".

The investigation team has been asked to brief the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea daily about the progress in the probe.

The KNCA report named the three detained officials as Kang Jong Chol, chief engineer of the Chongjin Shipyard, Han Kyong Hak, head of the hull construction workshop, and Kim Yong Hak, deputy manager for administrative affairs.

On Friday, KCNA said the shipyard's manager Hong Kil Ho had been summoned by law enforcers.

According to BBC, parts of the 5,000-ton destroyer's bottom were crushed during the launch ceremony, tipping the vessel off balance.

Satellite images showed the vessel lying on its side covered by large blue tarpaulins, and a portion of the vessel appeared to be on land. UNI SSP