'Gurita' wreck findings studied

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Prosecutors are still hoping to bring to court five people suspected of being responsible for the Gurita accident, despite the shipping tribunal's recent ruling that the ferry sank because of bad weather.

"But we have to be extra cautious in pursuing the case because otherwise, we might be sued in return," said M.A. Rachman, chief of the Aceh provincial prosecutor's office.

He said on Thursday his office has no intention to protract the case but pointed out that further evidence gathering to improve the police dossier is crucial.

The Gurita ferry sank off Banda Aceh waters in January, killing 55 people, while 283 others went missing. The ferry sank while sailing from Malahayati/Krueng Raya near Banda Aceh to Sabang, the main town of Weh Island opposite Aceh.

In April, police filed the dossier on five suspects but the prosecutor's office returned it in June, saying that the document needs to be improved.

Previous charges include negligence, filing false reports and endangering the lives of others.

The shipping tribunal cited bad weather, including a 25-knot wind and 3-meter waves, as the cause of the accident. It also ruled that Captain Zaini Djambek be acquitted of all charges as he also died in the accident. (14)