Four charged over Tanzania ferry deaths
Tanzanian authorities have charged four men with negligence over a ferry sinking that killed more than 240 people.
Ramadhan Nassib, from the Directorate of Public Prosecution, said the owner of the MV Spice Islander ferry, the first officer, and an employee of the Zanzibar Ports Authority violated the Maritime Act.
The captain, who is still missing, was charged in his absence.
The ferry sank at night in an area of deep seas and strong currents a week ago.
More than 800 people survived by clinging on to pieces of wood or crowding on to lifeboats. It was unclear how many passengers were on board.
The suspects were not allowed to enter a plea after the charges were read out late yesterday.
