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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Bahrain death boat was 'unsteady' | Bahrain death boat was 'unsteady' |
| (7 days later) | |
| A party boat which capsized in Bahrain killing 58 people was so unsteady glasses were falling off tables before it set sail, an inquest has heard. | A party boat which capsized in Bahrain killing 58 people was so unsteady glasses were falling off tables before it set sail, an inquest has heard. |
| Fifteen Britons were among those killed when the Al Dana capsized in March. | Fifteen Britons were among those killed when the Al Dana capsized in March. |
| The inquest in London, looking at the deaths of 10 victims, heard the boat was so unsteady before it left, several people decided to get off. | The inquest in London, looking at the deaths of 10 victims, heard the boat was so unsteady before it left, several people decided to get off. |
| The cause of death for all 10 was given as drowning but no inquest verdict will be given until December. | The cause of death for all 10 was given as drowning but no inquest verdict will be given until December. |
| About 130 people were on board the dhow on 30 March for a party to mark the end of a stage of construction of a major new building. | About 130 people were on board the dhow on 30 March for a party to mark the end of a stage of construction of a major new building. |
| Some passengers found it difficult to maintain steady on the boat and a number of people left the boat prior to leaving Nicola Nolan | Some passengers found it difficult to maintain steady on the boat and a number of people left the boat prior to leaving Nicola Nolan |
| The boat had been hired out for the evening as a thank you to employees who had worked on the building of the first stage of Bahrain's world trade centre towers. | The boat had been hired out for the evening as a thank you to employees who had worked on the building of the first stage of Bahrain's world trade centre towers. |
| The inquest at West London Coroner's Court is looking into the deaths of nine Britons and one German in the disaster. | The inquest at West London Coroner's Court is looking into the deaths of nine Britons and one German in the disaster. |
| A statement from survivor Nicola Nolan, from Ipswich, whose 50-year-old husband William died, was read to the court. | A statement from survivor Nicola Nolan, from Ipswich, whose 50-year-old husband William died, was read to the court. |
| It said: "There was exaggerated movement of the boat while moored. | It said: "There was exaggerated movement of the boat while moored. |
| "The movement was sufficient to cause glasses to fall off the tables. | "The movement was sufficient to cause glasses to fall off the tables. |
| "Some passengers found it difficult to maintain steady on the boat and a number of people left the boat prior to leaving." | "Some passengers found it difficult to maintain steady on the boat and a number of people left the boat prior to leaving." |
| The court has heard disturbing evidence about a number of significant failures in relation to the safety and sustainability of the Al Dana Solicitor Clive Garner | The court has heard disturbing evidence about a number of significant failures in relation to the safety and sustainability of the Al Dana Solicitor Clive Garner |
| Mrs Nolan told how partygoers had enjoyed a buffet on the lower deck of the boat before moving to the upper deck for a disco. | Mrs Nolan told how partygoers had enjoyed a buffet on the lower deck of the boat before moving to the upper deck for a disco. |
| Det Ch Insp Andy Mortimer, who led the Metropolitan Police investigation, said: "The disaster occurred at the point when a large number of guests vacated the restaurant area on the lower deck and joined the disco party on the upper deck." | Det Ch Insp Andy Mortimer, who led the Metropolitan Police investigation, said: "The disaster occurred at the point when a large number of guests vacated the restaurant area on the lower deck and joined the disco party on the upper deck." |
| The inquest heard the Al Dana left the marina at about 2000 local time and capsized about an hour and 45 minutes later. | The inquest heard the Al Dana left the marina at about 2000 local time and capsized about an hour and 45 minutes later. |
| It had sailed south, passed under a bridge and was turning back when it capsized. | It had sailed south, passed under a bridge and was turning back when it capsized. |
| Survivor Nicola Nolan, whose husband died, gave evidence | Survivor Nicola Nolan, whose husband died, gave evidence |
| Solicitor Clive Garner, who is representing 52 survivors or bereaved relatives, said: "The court has heard disturbing evidence about a number of significant failures in relation to the safety and sustainability of the Al Dana. | Solicitor Clive Garner, who is representing 52 survivors or bereaved relatives, said: "The court has heard disturbing evidence about a number of significant failures in relation to the safety and sustainability of the Al Dana. |
| "There are grave concerns about the use of the dhow, its operation and regulation. | "There are grave concerns about the use of the dhow, its operation and regulation. |
| "The coroner is seeking to obtain further information from Bahrain in relation to the background circumstances leading to the capsizing of the Al Dana." | "The coroner is seeking to obtain further information from Bahrain in relation to the background circumstances leading to the capsizing of the Al Dana." |
| The inquest has been adjourned until 7 December, when coroner Alison Thompson will give her verdict. | The inquest has been adjourned until 7 December, when coroner Alison Thompson will give her verdict. |
| Those whose inquests are being held are the 10 victims whose bodies were repatriated to the UK via Heathrow Airport: | Those whose inquests are being held are the 10 victims whose bodies were repatriated to the UK via Heathrow Airport: |
| Patricia Doyle, 64, of Hagley, Worcestershire, and her English language teacher daughter Roslyn, 35, who she was visiting on the Persian Gulf island | Patricia Doyle, 64, of Hagley, Worcestershire, and her English language teacher daughter Roslyn, 35, who she was visiting on the Persian Gulf island |
| Scott Belch, 33, from Redhill, Surrey, and his pregnant German wife Sandra | Scott Belch, 33, from Redhill, Surrey, and his pregnant German wife Sandra |
| Jason Brett, 32 and wife Lucinda Lamb, 30, who moved to Bahrain from Surbiton, south London, and left behind two young children | Jason Brett, 32 and wife Lucinda Lamb, 30, who moved to Bahrain from Surbiton, south London, and left behind two young children |
| William Nolan, 50, from Ipswich, Suffolk | William Nolan, 50, from Ipswich, Suffolk |
| Stephen Grady, 42, from Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire | Stephen Grady, 42, from Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire |
| Carl Ottewell, 40, from Bolton upon Dearne, South Yorkshire | Carl Ottewell, 40, from Bolton upon Dearne, South Yorkshire |
| Phillip Moody, 48, a father-of-two from Southampton who is said to have saved his wife Alison and another woman before he died. | Phillip Moody, 48, a father-of-two from Southampton who is said to have saved his wife Alison and another woman before he died. |
| The six other British victims were: | The six other British victims were: |
| Christopher Langan, 53, whose family were thought to be from the Newcastle area and lived in Bahrain | Christopher Langan, 53, whose family were thought to be from the Newcastle area and lived in Bahrain |
| David Evans, 56, from Glasgow | David Evans, 56, from Glasgow |
| Chris Braysher, 47, Jimmy Allen, 59, and Lawrence Sulman, 39, all from UK, but based in South Africa | Chris Braysher, 47, Jimmy Allen, 59, and Lawrence Sulman, 39, all from UK, but based in South Africa |
| Andrew Debrunner, an engineer thought to have had dual nationality. | Andrew Debrunner, an engineer thought to have had dual nationality. |
| The inquest continues. | The inquest continues. |