ANSD : Iraq Parliament sacks governor over deadly ferry capsize

FRI 19 - 4 - 2024

Date: Mar 26, 2019
Source: The Daily Star

Iraq Parliament sacks governor over deadly ferry capsize

_{Agence France Presse}
BAGHDAD: Iraq’s Parliament Sunday sacked the governor of a northern province where 100 people died in a ferry disaster that sparked a wave of grief and anger. Most of those killed when the boat sank Thursday in the Tigris River in Mosul were women and children headed for a Mother’s Day picnic on the Nowruz New Year holiday.

Prime Minister Adel Abdel-Mehdi wrote to Parliament Saturday calling on legislators to fire Ninevah provincial governor Nawfel Akoub, citing “negligence and concrete failings” meriting his dismissal. His two deputies were also fired during a vote in the national assembly.

Parliament declared those killed in the tragedy “martyrs,” allowing their families to receive financial compensation and paving the way for court proceedings.

Sixteen people have been arrested as part of an investigation into the ferry capsize, a security official said.

Authorities say 63 people are still listed as missing.

Dozens of students held a silent protest Sunday on the campus of the university of Mosul, dressed in black to mourn the victims.

One of them, Abdullah al-Jubburi, said they were demonstrating to demand that “corrupt” politicians and civil servants be replaced.

“We are fed up of being mistreated and marginalized,” fellow protester Isra Mohammad said.

Akoub has already been subjected to the anger of victims’ relatives and their supporters over alleged corruption and cronyism.

When he visited the scene of the tragedy Friday stones were thrown at his convoy by protesters demonstrating against perceived corruption and neglect.

Readers Comments (0)

Add your comment

Enter the security code below*


Can't read this? Try Another.