Cambodia to probe ferry disaster

Cambodia to probe ferry disaster

PHNOM PENH (AFP): Cambodia's tourism minister on Thursday
pledged a full investigation following Wednesday's fatal sinking
of an allegedly overloaded ferry linking the ancient temples of
Angkor Wat with the capital.

A Taiwanese tourist drowned in the accident, apparently unable
to escape the sinking boat after it rammed a bamboo fishing
barricade along the picturesque and winding Tonle Sap river.

Witnesses among the 65 passengers described the ferry as
overcrowded and without emergency exits, and scenes of panic as
the stricken travelers plunged into the murky river without
lifejackets.

The accident is the second incident to beset the popular ferry
boat route in two months, following the armed robbery of scores
of tourists on the Tonle Sap one month ago.