BAHRAIN: Relatives gather outside Bahraini morgue to collect bodies of victims after cruise ship capsized killing at least 57 people

Record ID: 643365

  • Title: BAHRAIN: Relatives gather outside Bahraini morgue to collect bodies of victims after cruise ship capsized killing at least 57 people
  • Date: 3rd April 2006
  • Summary: PEOPLE STANDING OUTSIDE MORGUE
  • Embargoed: 18th April 2006 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Bahrain
  • Country: Bahrain
  • Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes
  • Reuters ID: LVA8XTQET4AUBSDPKZI1AE3BAH5J
  • Story Text: Members of a Thai and British family were among those gathered outside the morgue in Manama on Sunday (April 2). Many of the relatives had come to process the release of the bodies of their loved ones for burial or funeral services.
    One man lost several colleagues when the cruise ship capsized in a Bahrani port.
    "I lost five colleagues on this tragic incident. Three of the colleagues and two of their wives. And we are just trying to get the bodies here. And the last formalities are going on and hopefully we will be able to send the bodies today itself," said Ramanna Rai.
    Interior Ministry spokesman Colonel Tareq Al-Hassan told reporters late on Saturday (April 1) that the ship's owner had applied for a license but never completed the procedures.
    At least 57 people died, mostly foreigners, when their twin-decked boat went down late last Thursday (March 30). The boat trip was sponsored by companies involved in a major construction project in Bahrain including South African construction firm Murray & Roberts, its local partner Nass and subcontractors.
    Authorities have detained the boat's captain for questioning after concerns arose about his qualifications and whether the boat was overloaded.
    Officials have said 126 people were believed to have been on board. Tourism sources said the vessel had a capacity of 100.
    The dead were 21 Indians, 13 Britons, five South Africans, five Filipinos, four Singaporeans, four Pakistanis, two Thais, a German, an Irish citizen and a South Korean.
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