The logic behind that(I didn't say I agree with it) is that they WANT that punishment to be extremely harsh and hurt bad to further deter people from doing it in the first place.
And if this means there's a some collateral damage casualties getting punished due to Ritos sometimes crappy client and servers, and/or events WAY beyond their control then so be it.
Grandma had a heart attack? Finish the game then you can visit her in the hospital.
Boss called you in early to work? No can do bossy boss, I gotta finish this game. This is serious bizness the entertainment of NINE people is on the line here! Much more important than this big bizness deal that may or may not decide if I can keep my job and continue feeding my family. It's K. They each have a knife and can live off the land if I get fired.
House catch on fire and is burning down? Don't you dare even THINK about bailing! You MUST stay there and finish that game even if it means that the fire department has to dig your charred body out of the ruins the next day.