South Africa is investigating whether the crew of a Chinese bulker threw two stowaways overboard.
The probe involves the 61,000-dwt Top Grace (built 2016), which has been detained at Richards Bay since March.
Police and the South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) said two Tanzanians were thrown off the vessel near the coast of KwaZulu-Natal, according to reports in local media.
Authorities said it is thought the men had illegally boarded the ship, but were found hiding after it left Durban.
“It is alleged that the two stowaways had boarded the vessel, which was berthed at Maydon Wharf in Durban on Monday, March 23, 2020, by climbing up the mooring ropes and hiding in the chain locker,” Samsa said in a statement quoted by South Africa's Times newspaper.
The two Tanzanians have claimed that they were given life jackets and bottles of water before being thrown into the ocean.
Two days at sea
They said they had spent two days at sea before being washing up at Zinkwazi beach.
Vernon Keller, Samsa deputy chief operations officer, said the master and owner face charges of attempted murder as well breaking the country's maritime laws.
"We’re also looking at charging them for stopping illegally in South African waters, it was not an innocent passage, and try to hold them accountable with regards to that," he said in a report by Eyewitness News.
A total of seven senior officers on the ship face criminal charges, it was reported.
Operator Fairweather Steamship of Hong Kong told TradeWinds it had no further information on the incident.
Samsa was not available for further comment in Richards Bay or Durban.
The bulker is classed by Lloyd's Register and insured by protection and indemnity club West of England.
