'Gurita' wreck findings studied

'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)