Marigot:--- Rescue operators from the French and Dutch side of the island are busy searching for the bodies of persons that were on a boat traveling between Anguilla and St. Maarten. An agent of the Prefecture of St. Martin said that the boat got into an accident around 1:00am Monday morning. The agent said that some bodies were found but sea rescue is still busy looking for more bodies and or survivors.
A press release from the Prefecture of St. Martin states that a boat carrying about 20 passengers got into an accident early Monday morning between the islands of Anguilla and St. Martin. Currently, the Dutch Coast Guard, Sea Rescue, the Brigade Nautique, and the Gendarmerie are coordinating the search and rescue mission.
A helicopter and divers are in the area as they continue with the search and rescue mission and recovery of the ill-fated vessel. The press release further states that three persons perished in the accident, 12 survivors are in stable condition at the Louis Constant Fleming Hospital, while three persons are missing. Chief of the Cabinet of the Prefecture DOLIGEZ Matthieu told SMN News that he could not divulge much information on the accident and the victims because the investigation is still ongoing. Doligez refused to say if the captain of the boat was found and if the boat was involved in human trafficking. The chief of cabinet even refused to release the nationalities of the victims and survivors that were on the boat.
SMN News also asked Doligez if the Dutch police were in contact with them since they are in search of three prisoners that escaped from the prison cells next to the Philipsburg Police Station last Sunday. Doligez said the Dutch police are in contact with the Gendarmerie but so far there is no solid information that they can share with their counterparts. He said as soon as they have more information a second press release will be sent out with additional information.
SMN News further learnt that the ill-fated boat is registered as "GOD IS GOOD" and it is registered to someone of Haitian decent by the name of Coulange residing on the Dutch side of the island. A source from the Sea Rescue said the persons on board the boat were not wearing life jackets and most of them were dressed in bathing suits. The ill-fated vessel they said sank close to Dog Island which is on the Northern side of Anguilla.
Authorities in Anguilla deny having any knowledge of a boat sinking in their waters. The commissioner of Police Rudolph Proctor told reporters on that island that he sent out the MV Dolphin to patrol the area in the Anguilla territories when he heard of the news via the internet and Blackberry messages. A reporter from the island of Anguilla told SMN News that authorities in Anguilla claimed they had no information on the boat mishap. However, late Monday afternoon they confirmed receiving information and said they sent their rescue boat to the scene to see if they could provide assistance to those that were continuing the search and rescue mission.
A second press release was issued by the Gendarmerie Monday night stating that they received a call on Sunday night around 11:30pm where a boat that was going through the Anguilla canal capsized. The boat they said measured between seven to eight meters. On board the ill-fated boat were a number of people. Shortly after the rescue team reached the scene they managed to rescue nine persons. The Gendarmes along with several other sea rescue persons continued the search all day on Monday, another three persons were rescued as the search operation continued, totaling the survivors to 12 all of whom were taken to the Louis Constant Fleming Hospital for treatment. Up to late Monday there are 12 survivors, 3 persons that perished while another three persons are still missing. An investigation was opened shortly after the operation started and is continuing under the authority of the prosecutor in order for the investigators to determine the circumstances of the tragedy while they are trying to identify the victims. Special attention will be given to the survivors based on humanitarian needs, the press release states.
