The Administrative Prosecution Authority referred two maritime inspection officials in Damietta, affiliated to the Egyptian Authority for Maritime Safety, to disciplinary trial after month-long investigations proved their involvement in the Rashid capsized boat case, state media reported on Sunday.
Investigations revealed that the boat’s navigational licence was expired, as it was valid from 30 March to 12 May. The boat owner submitted a fraudulent licence which stated that the boat was valid to be sailed until November.
These charges were included in a report filed by the prosecution to the disciplinary court.
Twenty-four defendants have been arrested in total in connection with the illegal migration case, including the crew.
The boat sunk in September in the Mediterranean Sea offshore from Rashid in Beheira governorate. It was carrying between 300 and 600 illegal migrants; 202 died and 164 were rescued.
Thousands of illegal immigrants cross the Mediterranean Sea every year, and Egypt has become a popular destination to begin the journey. Egyptians are also counted among these immigrants, most of whom end up travelling to Italy. Hundreds of Egyptian nationals have been repatriated from Italy with the help of the Egyptian Foreign Affairs Ministry.
