Algeria lacked the adequate security services, especially sea-borne services, to deal with the shipwreck of the cargo ship Béchar which sank in the port of Algiers on Saturday, according to the Algerian minister of transport Mohamed Maghlaoui in an interview on Algerian national radio Wednesday 17 November.
The minister acknowledged that the services were unable to deal with the storms in which seven sailors died and nine were reported missing.
The minister added that the authorities have decided to buy three tug boats for the high seas for the ports of Algiers, Arzew (west Algeria) and Skikda (east Algeria). The minister added that Algeria still lacks a maritime helicopter system.
He stressed that an enquiry will be conducted to shed light on what exactly happened. Mr. Maghlaoui allayed fears of pollution as a result of the shipwreck which contained 370 tons of fuel.
According to Algerian radio, the minister is calling for a reorganization of the ports and the creation of a National Ports Agency to be able to deal with emergencies. (albawaba.com)
