Ferry Owner, Among Others, Responsible For Victims of Ferry Sinking

by: Megan Gosch
The owner of the M.V. Spice Islander, and three others were charged Friday by Tanzanian authorities for negligence that caused the ferry to sink and the loss of more than 200 passengers in East Africa.
As reported by The New York Times, ferry owner Yusuf Suleiman Malik, first officer Abdallah Mohamed Ali, and employee Silima Nyange Silima will be held responsible of the ferry sinking or violating the Maritime Act, overloading the ferry with cargo and passengers.
The captain of the ferry has also been charged but has been missing since the sinking in the early hours of September 10
A plea was not permitted to the suspects after their charges were read to them
The unauthorized amount of cargo and passengers on board at the time of sinking have made it difficult for authorities to determine how many may still be missing.
Including the confirmed 800 survivors and the loved ones of the 240 lives lost, Tanzanians eagerly await legal action and packed the courtroom as the charges were read to the suspects.