Migrant Boat Capsized Near Libya's Captain Named As Mohammed Ali Malek

Biting His Nails, Young Captain Of Capsized Boat Pictured Aboard Rescue Ship

Biting his nails and dressed in a white boiler suit, the young captain of a boat which capsized killing an estimated 800 people is pictured waiting to leave a rescue ship.

He can also be seen lying on the deck of the boat, speaking to a member of the rescue team and watching bodies being unloaded.

Migrant Boat Captain Pictured Aboard Rescue Ship

The 27-year-old, who has been named as Mohammed Ali Malek, a Tunisian national, was snapped aboard the boat after he was rescued following the incident, which took place in the early hours of Sunday.

Malek and his fellow crew member, Mahmud Bikhit, a Syrian national, were arrested by Italian police. He has been charged with people trafficking and reckless multiple homicide. Bikhit has been charged with people trafficking.

It has been reported that errors made by the captain caused the fatal incident.

Italian prosecutors said that a wrong manoeuvre by Malek caused a collision with a Portuguese merchant ship sent to the rescue, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Bodies are removed from the rescue boat

EU leaders, including David Cameron, are set to meet on Thursday to discuss how the migrant crisis is to be tackled.

Some 1,500 migrants are already thought to have lost their lives trying to make the dangerous journey this year alone.

A petition urging President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker to resume the search and rescue, has already gained over 80,000 signatures.

Close

What's Hot