Two individuals have been arrested and will be prosecuted in connection with the Pathein boat crash that killed at least 30 people last Friday, police confirm.
The defendants are two of the three helmsmen who were in charge of the boat and river barge that collided in a river near the port city; the third helmsman — one of two steering the ‘Silver Star’ boat that was carrying around 60 passengers on their way home from a wedding ceremony — was killed in the crash.
Speaking to Eleven, second lieutenant Htoo Aung Zaw from the Pathein Police stated: “We have taken action against U Aung, the helmsman of the Nadi Shwe Swin, and Thiha Aung, the helmsman of the ‘Silver Star’ boat, for reckless driving of the vessels, and negligent actions that resulted in the injuries and deaths of passengers. The coxswain [of the Silver Star] was among the deceased; we’ve recovered his body so we can verify this.”
“We have currently requested a remand and are further conducting a thorough investigation…We still have to question witnesses. There are a few other official matters that still need to be taken care of but once that’s done, we’ll deliberate and officially press charges.”
The defendants are being charged under the Myanmar Penal Code’s Sections 280 (“Rash navigation of vessel”), 304A (“Causing death by negligence”), 337 (“Causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others”), and 338 (“Causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others”).
An investigation team put together by The Ayeyarwady Regional Government has also launched their own inspection into the incident.
The two vessels collided on the Nga Wun River on Friday night. Authorities pulled 21 bodies from the river on Saturday, and an additional nine the next day. Nine people are still believed to be missing, although officials don’t have hope that many more victims will be found.
