[Breaking] Over One Hundred Thirty Dead in Ship Disaster

Over One Hundred Thirty Dead in Ship Disaster

PALAVEN - A privately-operated turian spaceliner known as the “Tarius” suffered what appeared to be a drive core failure on approach to the Apien Crest's Farin II, resulting in the vessel's complete destruction . Communications between the ship and its destination reveal that it had entered deceleration between the system's fifth and sixth planets, and was preparing for final approach when a shortwave emergency signal was received by local authorities. Rescue patrol ships were sent out immediately, but recovered only two pods with a total of nine survivors from an expanding debris field.

The “Tarius” was carrying 600 tons of cargo and 110 civilian passengers, along with a crew of 40. The survivors have been identified as two crewmen and seven passengers, two of them children.

“The rescued persons are still in shock and are currently being treated on Farin II," said Hierarchy planetary official Kren Vageros. "All of them were in the same section and in close proximity to the rescue pods when the malfunction occurred. None of them could provide any detailed insight on the reasons for the disaster. Our prayers and thoughts are with the families of the victims.”

Asked for possible reasons for such a catastrophic failure, an engineering expert on site noted that from first analysis of the debris, "this looks like a progressing drive core failure. There can be thousands of technical reasons for that. The ship was operated by a private corporation who has a good safety record. Everything else is speculation at this point.”

Rumors about an attack or sabotage have been dismissed as groundless by Hierarchy officials. A formal investigation committee has been installed.