Owner of Bahrain boat questioned over negligence
The owner of a dinner boat that capsized off Bahrain’s coast, killing 58 people, was detained on allegations he ordered the vessel to sail even though it was unsteady and had no licence, the general prosecutor said today.
Abdullah al-Kobaisi, the owner of the Al-Dana boat, was ordered held for seven days for questioning and could face charges of negligent homicide and misuse of licence, the prosecutor said in a statement.
The Al-Dana – a traditional dhow vessel refitted as a pleasure boat - overturned last Thursday night as it made a sharp turn with around 130 people on board, most from a South African-based company and its partners celebrating construction of Bahrain’s World Trade Centre.
The dead included 15 Britons.
Already detained are the ship’s captain and his assistant, who prosecutors said did not have sailing licences and could face charges of negligent homicide as well.
Survivors have said the boat was swaying precariously even before it left the dock in Manama, and that more than a dozen passengers left because of worries over its stability.
The prosecutor said today the captain and the party organiser contacted al-Kobaisi and warned him of the situation, but he ordered the boat to sail.
