The General Attorney in South Sinai, headed by Abdullah al-Shazly, questioned Captain Tarek Abdoul Aal yesterday. Aal was the captain of Billa Ferry, which caught fire while traveling from Jordan to Egypt on November 3. One Jordanian died after jumping into the sea. The ferry was carrying 1230 passengers. The captain told the complete details of the accident, from the time the ferry left Jordan's Aqaba port. Maritime Inspection Committee of the Egyptian Maritime Safety Authority searched the ferry before it left Nuweiba on November 2. The committee report confirmed the ferry safety, according to the captain. "The fire started in passengers' luggage. The crew tried to control the fire but it spread quickly, " said the captain. He said he sent distress signals when the fire began. When the fire extended he decided to use rescue boats to get the passengers out of the ferry. The captain said he was the last one to leave the ferry after all passengers were put into life boats, except one Jordanian passenger who was injured during rescue. The captain said he went to the attorney without being summoned. He said his testimony comes as both as the captain of the ferry and as a witness. "The attorney honored me and appreciated my efforts to save passengers," he said
