MANAMA, Bahrain, April 1 (UPI) -- Police Saturday questioned the captain of a possibly overloaded boat that capsized off Bahrain, killing at least 57 people.
At least 67 people were rescued and two were reported still missing, the BBC said.
The boat's owners blamed the disaster on overcrowding. Local authorities, meanwhile, said the captain was not properly qualified and held him for more questioning.
Abdullah al-Qubaisi, representing the owners, the al-Dana company, said tour operators had insisted on taking off despite having too many people on board.
The passengers were mostly construction workers celebrating completion of part of the Bahrain World Trade Center towers.
Eyewitnesses reported the boat appeared to be heavily overcrowded before it set off. One said he saw the boat lean on its side and quickly capsize. Yet another said the boat "rocked badly and tilted over" after hitting a wave.
