Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba declared Monday evening three days of national mourning in memory of the victims of the sinking of a ferry which occurred on March 9, the official toll of which is six dead, 31 missing and 124 survivors.
“Tuesday March 14, Wednesday March 15 and Thursday March 16 will be days of national mourning. In addition, throughout this national mourning, all festive and sporting events in the country will be suspended”, declared the Gabonese president, who reiterated to the families of the victims its “deepest condolences”.
For its part, the government has suspended the director general of the Merchant Navy and his deputy.
The search continues to find the missing.
The ferry, called “Ester miracle” of the Royal Coast company, sank Thursday off Libreville, according to the government. This mixed passenger and freight vessel linked Libreville to Port-Gentil, the economic capital of the country.
According to passengers who alerted their parents quoted by local media, the ship suddenly lost pressure some time following leaving Libreville. The crew attempted to turn back towards Libreville in hopes of reaching the home port. Unfortunately, he was unsuccessful in this maneuver. END
