Posted on 10.03.2023 at 11:34 by Linda Manga
It was during an emergency meeting between the Prime Minister and certain members of the government on Thursday, March 09, 2023, that this measure was taken for reasons of navigation safety.
As of Thursday March 9 to March 31, 2023, overnight travel for passengers is suspended by the government. Indeed, it was following the sinking of the Ester Miracle vessel of the Royal Coast company, which occurred in the early hours of the morning of Thursday 9 March that the members of the government, meeting with the main leaders of the Defense Forces and security, have taken a number of security measures.
Among these measures taken, we note the precautionary suspension of night voyages for all passenger ships until March 31, 2023. Then, the audit of all naval units dedicated to the transport of people, as well as the opening an information unit in the seafarers’ health service.
Following this situation, the government through a press release informed that the boat that sank included 151 people, including 134 adult passengers, 4 children under 6 years old, 10 crew members, 3 defense force agents ensuring the escort, were on board that vessel. Registered L2848, this ship which had left the day before at 8:05 p.m. from the mole port of Libreville bound for Port-Gentil, was also transporting more than 8 containers (6 of 20 feet and 2 of 40 feet), 5 vehicles, and goods various. « AT this hour we dIt issadly mourn the loss of three people, 26 continue towillvery sought afterIt ises and 123 were rescued. Among them, 73 were able to return to their homes, 50 remain under observation in the various health centers », supports the government in an official communication.
