Following a reevaluation, the number of individuals feared missing in a ferry accident off the coast of Gabon has risen to 34, and the death toll has increased from two to three.
Authorities say that since the Esther Miracle sank in the early hours of Thursday not far from the coast, at least one child and two adults have been discovered dead.
The Esther Miracle was a mixed-use freight and passenger ship that traveled between the capital Libreville and the oil town of Port-Gentil.
Initial estimates put the number of passengers and staff on board the ship at 151; however, on Friday night, that number was increased to 161.
According to Loic Mangongo, deputy public prosecutor in Libreville, who spoke to Gabon Premiere; “One hundred twenty-four people have been rescued (and) three lifeless bodies have been found, while 34 people are still missing and the search continues.”
Mangongo did not explain why the initial count did not include the 10 additional missing people.
Since the first count on Thursday afternoon, three more persons had also been recovered from the disaster; however, police did not disclose how they were discovered.
The likelihood of discovering further survivors or even bodies this long after the catastrophe is decreasing due to strong currents in the Gulf of Guinea where the boat went down.
On Friday morning, experts were dispatched to the sinking site, which is in water that is about 30 meters deep and is close to the harbor where Libreville is located.
Libreville public prosecutor, Andre Patrick Roponat, revealed that an investigation has been launched to determine whether negligence, subpar maintenance, or “factors beyond human control” were to blame for the tragedy.
The Gabonese government has ordered an audit of all ships in the nation that are “dedicated to passenger transport” while also suspending overnight passenger ship voyages until at least March 31.
