Prosecutors in Kafr al-Sheikh have remanded two local council employees and released three others from custody over negligence that caused an unlicensed ferryboat to sink in the Nile River Thursday, which killed 15.
The defendants face accusations of “voluntary damage to their work place and failure to take legal action against the boat's violation”, according to the petition of accusations.
Initial investigations revealed that the boat, with a six passenger capacity, carried 18 on board.
The suspects denied the charges.
A commander of police forces tasked with securing the waterboard told investigators that the local council of the city of Fawa, where the suspects work, is responsible for granting operating licenses to ferries.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
