The final death toll was 85, mostly seasonal workers

Published: 28/12/2021 – 04:01

With our correspondent in Antananarivo, Sarah Dettot

Seasonal clove workers wanted to come back down to spend the holidays at home. But in the four days of Christmas, the regular shipping companies are packed. Fallback solution: Secretly on a cargo ship, out of sight, far from port. The ship is 12 x 2 meters. This is not important for 138 passengers, Which will be distributed between Tech and Hold.

Double crime, cites Jean-Edmund Rண்ட்ndrientena, director general of the APMF at the Maritime and River Port Agency. ” Not only is the ship not authorized to carry passengers, it can only carry cargo on the basis of proof of its navigation license, but in addition, it does not leave the official port. So it is clear that the responsibility lies with the captain of the ship. ⁇

In front of the press, the head of the Port Control Authority stressed the pace of intervention by emergency services (APMF and Marine Nationale). Arrived “He says,” Within half an hour of immersion , Which allowed 50 people to be rescued.

However, there is drama Brought to light system flaws, Already isolated this week by civil society:

⁇ Negative points are precisely the question of strengthening controls. At this point, there will be a need to increase the APMF’s human resources in these areas, strengthen control capabilities and, apparently, barriers. ⁇

Local from where Francia III left Precious forests are reputed to be one of the privileged transport areas for smugglers because they are not well controlled.

Two hearings were opened: an APMF-led security inquiry and a judicial inquiry by a local gentry. One of the survivors is the captain and owner of Francia III, who is said to have escaped and is currently being sought.