Stowaways?
Two Moroccan stowaways were noticed aboard the ‘M V Greenwich Park’, sailing from Egypt to Mormugao Port, Goa. The captain was informed that there were two unidentified stowaways, sources said. No travel documents were found on them. He immediately contacted their shipping agent in Vasco, J. M. Baxi and informed them about the stowaways. All concerned authorities in Goa were alerted. The Captain of the vessel was told to take necessary action. The two stowaways were locked inside a room on board, as reported.
The M V Greenwich was carrying phosphoric acid from Egypt for Zuari Industries Ltd. It left Egypt on September 3rd.
On arriving Goa harbour, Immigration officials inspected the two Moroccans, Abdelkabir Benbassid and Jaouad Elhili, after which they were kept in custody of the ship’s master. On Thursday, 15th September, at around 10.30 am, the port signal station was informed that the two had escaped from custody. A massive search was launched and in a couple of hours, the duo was detained in front of Goa Shipyard Limited. PSI Melito Fernandes lodged a complaint with the Vasco police on behalf of the state. On Friday the stowaways were produced before judicial magistrate first class in Vasco and thereafter taken under five days police custody, as per a TOI report.
It is supposed that the two boarded the Vessel with the assumption that the ship was headed for Europe.
