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IRAQ-ACCIDENT-POLITICS
Iraq parliament sacks governor over deadly ferry capsize
BAGHDAD, March 24, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Iraq’s parliament on 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 Kurds’ Nowruz New Year
holiday.
Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mehdi wrote to parliament on Saturday calling on
legislators to fire Nineveh 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, told AFP they were demonstrating to demand that
“corrupt” politicians and civil servants be replaced.
“The governor and all corrupt officials must be put on trial… We are fed up of being
mistreated and marginalised,” said fellow protester Isra Mohammed.
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 on Friday stones were thrown at his convoy
by protesters demonstrating against perceived corruption and neglect.
BSS/AFP/ARS/2004 hrs