Victims of the Boeing Max crash demand that the American company be fined $25 billion.

 Families of victims of the Boeing 737 MAX crash on Wednesday urged U.S. authorities to fine the giant airline as much as $24.8 billion and prosecute its officials.

The move comes a day after Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun admitted the company has "serious" safety problems, despite assurances to a US congressional committee that progress has been made in this area.

The congressional hearing was attended by relatives of victims who died in Boeing 737 MAX 8 crashes in 2018 and 2019, and they uploaded pictures of them.

"Given that Boeing's crime is the deadliest corporate crime in U.S. history, a maximum fine of more than $24 billion is legally justified and clearly appropriate," Paul Cassel, the families' attorney, wrote in a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice.

The letter explains the calculation behind the requested amount, which calls for Boeing to be fined the maximum amount of approximately $24.8 billion, with between $14 billion and $22 billion of the fine suspended on the condition that Boeing allocate it to a special corporate monitor and improvements related to safety programs.

"An order should be issued requiring Boeing's board of directors to meet with the families," the letter added.

The families also believe the government should "immediately initiate criminal prosecutions against Boeing executives at the time of the incidents."

The case relates to two accidents that occurred in Indonesia and Ethiopia in 2018 and 2019, which together killed 346 people, and comes at a time when Boeing is facing intense scrutiny after manufacturing and safety issues.

The giant airline's problems have been back in the spotlight since a door separated from the fuselage of a Boeing 737 Max operated by Alaska Airlines on Jan. 5, forcing it to make an emergency landing.