Egyptian security authorities arrested on Tuesday the owner of a boat that capsized in lake Mariout, outside the city of Alexandria Monday evening. It left at least nine dead, six injured and five people are still missing.

Earlier Egypt’s Public Prosecution issued an arrest warrant for the owner of the boat who turned out to be its captain.

The prosecution announced that it started its investigation on Tuesday after receiving a report on the incident.

The statement revealed that the boat, that was carrying 20 passengers, drowned in Lake Mariout near Alexandria. The injured were transported to Al-Amaria hospital and the search is still on for those who are still missing.

The statement also stated that the owner of the boat had fled the scene once the accident happened.

The Prosecution ordered an autopsy for the victims and also began its inquiry on whether the boat was authorised for fishing and navigation from the Egyptian authority for navigation safety.

According to media reports, the passengers were all of the same bedouin clan from the locals and that five of the victims were children.

It has not yet been revealed why they had been at the lake at such a late hour but some reports claim they were visiting a small island used by the locals to rest from fishing.

The Lake Mariout 200 km² salt lake is one of the famous sources of fishing in the country.

Rescue divers conduct search operations for victims of a capsized boat in Lake Mariout, 20 kilometres (12 miles) west of Egypt's second city of Alexandria on February 23, 2021. AFP

Egypt's second city of Alexandria on February 23, 2021 as a search team conducts rescue operations. - Nine people drowned and at least four were missing after the boat chartered for a family fishing trip capsized. AFP

Relatives of victims of a capsized boat gather along the shore of Lake Mariout, 20 kilometres (12 miles) west of Egypt's second city of Alexandria on February 23, 2021 as a search team conducts rescue operations. AFP