PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) is investigating a fatal traffic accident that took place on Mountain Dove Road in the Point Blanche area on Sunday, April 19, 2026.

Around 1:00 p.m., Central Dispatch received multiple emergency calls reporting a serious crash at the scene. Officers were immediately sent to the location, where they found a white minivan overturned on its side with three occupants trapped inside.

Fire Department and Ambulance personnel responded quickly and worked to free the victims from the wreckage. Once removed from the vehicle, two of the three male occupants — including one minor — were pronounced dead at the scene.

The third victim was treated by emergency responders before being transported to the Sint Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) for further medical care.

Traffic Department officers remain at the scene and are carrying out a full investigation into the incident. The exact cause of the accident has not yet been determined.

KPSM thanked all emergency service personnel, including police officers, firefighters, and ambulance staff, for their rapid and professional response.

The police also extended condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased and reminded all motorists to drive carefully and obey traffic laws.

Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) is currently investigating a serious ill-treatment incident that occurred in the early morning hours of Saturday, April 18, 2026, at a well-known establishment in the Simpson Bay area.

Just after 05:00 AM, police received a report of a male victim who had been severely beaten after allegedly unlawfully entering the business premises.

Further investigation revealed that the two suspects encountered the victim inside the establishment shortly after 05:00 AM and proceeded to ill-treat him within the premises.

The victim sustained serious injuries and was transported in very serious condition to the St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) for urgent medical treatment.

Both suspects involved in the assault were later arrested at the scene and transported to the Philipsburg Police Station, where they are currently being held pending further investigation.

KPSM takes this opportunity to strongly remind the public that taking the law into one’s own hands is a criminal offense and can lead to serious legal consequences.

Individuals are urged to contact the police in such situations rather than resorting to violence.

Simpson Bay:---  Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) proudly announces the winners of the ToppiX 2026 Aviation Photography Competition, marking the exciting return of the contest after a 10-year hiatus.

 This year’s edition brought the competition back with a special theme: “The First Landing of Southwest Airlines in SXM,” inviting photographers to capture a historic milestone for the island’s aviation sector.

After careful evaluation by the jury, three winners were selected:

3rd Place: Sabih Sebastiaan Haasdijk
2nd Place: Jachiem Richardson (HD Fly)
1st Place: Paul Ellinger

The winning image by Paul Ellinger stood out for its exceptional composition, striking use of color, and strong sense of place, clearly capturing the iconic surroundings of SXM. A particularly unique element noted by the judges was the shadow of the aircraft within the image, which closely aligns with the airport’s branding. The “X” in SXM symbolizes an aircraft, with the line beneath representing its shadow, making this photograph a powerful and meaningful visual representation of the airport’s identity.

“As soon as I captured this moment, I knew it was something special,” said Paul Ellinger. “To have my photo selected as the winner is truly an honor. SXM is such a unique place for aviation photography, and I’m proud to be part of capturing that story.”

As the grand prize winner, Paul Ellinger’s photograph will be prominently featured as the new backdrop in the terminal building, offering passengers the opportunity to capture their own memories with this iconic image. In addition, the photo will be showcased as the header image on the official SXM Airport website.

Princess Juliana International Airport congratulates all winners and participants for their creativity and passion. The return of the ToppiX competition highlights the strong connection between aviation, destination, the community and reaffirms SXM’s position as one of the world’s most iconic aviation locations.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM), in close consultation with the Prosecutor’s Office, hereby informs the public of strengthened enforcement measures specifically targeting public safety and order in and around the Festival Village area.
In recent days, KPSM has observed a concerning increase in fighting and group violence occurring during and after events at the Festival Village and surrounding streets.
These incidents have placed members of the public at risk, disrupted public order, and negatively impacted the safe enjoyment of organized events.
In response, immediate and stricter measures will now be enforced:
• The current fine for fighting, previously set at US $105, will be increased by 40%, resulting in a new fine of US $147. This increase is intended to strengthen deterrence and reflect the seriousness of such conduct in public event areas.
• In all incidents involving group fights or public violence within the Festival Village and surrounding areas, KPSM will take immediate action.
All identified suspects will be arrested, detained, and processed in accordance with legal procedures

KPSM will maintain a police presence, including proactive patrols around the Festival Village during event periods to prevent escalation and restore order where necessary.

KPSM strongly urges all visitors, patrons, and members of the public to conduct themselves responsibly. The Festival Village is intended to be a safe entertainment environment, and violent or disorderly behavior will be met with firm enforcement action.
The Police Force of Sint Maarten remains committed to ensuring public safety and maintaining order in all entertainment and public gathering areas.