Eleven children died Thursday night when their boat capsized off Cambodia, and three people, including the two owners and the 15-year-old operator of the boat, were arrested, police said Saturday.
The small boat, which was carrying children between the ages of 12 and 15 returning from an English class, sank on Thursday night in the Mekong River, in Kandal province (southeast), about fifty meters from the shore.
Frequent accidents in Cambodia
The three arrested were taken to the Kandal police headquarters for questioning, local police chief Am Thou told AFP. “They could face legal action. We are seeing what can be imputed to them,” he said.
Authorities called off the search on Saturday morning, with a final toll of 11 dead and four survivors, including two boat operators and two students.
Such accidents are common in Cambodia, where people living near rivers rely heavily on boats to get around. The government recently warned residents of Mekong flooding caused by heavy rains.
Source: BFM TV
