MOSUL: The capsizing of a Tigris River ferry packed with families celebrating Kurdish New Year in Mosul left at least 100 people dead, mostly women and children, the Iraqi interior ministry said on Friday, as grief and anger swept the city.

Residents of Iraq’s second city, scarred by years of jihadist rule, demanded justice as Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi decreed three days of national mourning following Thursday’s accident.

Mosulites had resumed the annual festivities this year for the first time since Iraqi forces ousted the militant Islamic State group following years of brutal jihadist rule.

But the celebrations turned to tragedy when the overcrowded vessel ran into trouble as it headed to a popular picnic site across the River Tigris.

Mosul security officials blamed the accident on high water levels and overcrowding on the boat.

Hundreds of relatives of victims and residents gathered at the scene of the accident, where prayers were held for the dead.

Many said the disaster could have been avoided, and chanted “corruption is killing us!” “We want those responsible to be brought to justice,” said Mohammed Adel, 27, whose father was among those who died.

He accused officials of failing to enforce safety standards.

Abu Salem, who lost his wife and two children in the accident which also coincided with Mother’s Day in Iraq, pinned blame for the tragedy on profit motives and the corruption that is endemic in Iraq. The managers of the picnic sitewere “criminals... I want them to pay up and I won’t leave here until they do”, the 50-year Iraqi said.

Published in Dawn, March 23rd, 2019