BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THREE persons were confirmed dead and 13 others are missing following yesterday’s (Mar. 28) incident in the Atlantic Ocean, where motor vessel Jenna B had capsized between Antigua and St. Kitts-Nevis.
No additional details have been provided on the missing persons, but it was revealed during a press conference yesterday afternoon that the vessel had departed Antigua for the United States Virgin Islands with 32 passengers on board.
However, at around 3:00 a.m. yesterday a distress signal was sent out to maritime officials in Guadeloupe, who subsequently notified their counterparts in Antigua and Barbuda, and St. Kitts and Nevis.
In his update yesterday, Commissioner of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, James Sutton stated that after receiving the distress call members of the St. Kitts-Nevis Coast Guard went into action and rescued 16 persons and found three dead bodies.
In his update at the said press conference, Commander of the Federation’s Defence Force, Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Comrie revealed that the vessel had left Guadeloupe just about a week ago and was in Antigua prior to its departure early yesterday morning.
He also revealed that following its departure, it was reported that the vessel was stolen.
Comrie further revealed that from the initial report they received, among the 16 persons rescued, two were nationals of Antigua and Barbuda and the others were from Cameroon.
Up to the end of yesterday, officials could not positively identify or provide details from where the three deceased persons originated.
According to details obtained by SKNVibes News, the three dead bodies are said to be house at the Saddler’s Funeral Home in Sandy Point.
Officials from the St. Kitts-Nevis Coast Guard, their counterparts in Antigua and Barbuda as well as in St. Martin, resumed their search exercises this morning but without success.
Helicopter assistance was also provided by officials from Martinique.
Coast Guard officials in Antigua and Barbuda have suggested that the operation at this time would be one of a recovery nature, since it is unlike that they might find anyone alive 24 hours after the tragedy.
The identities of 16 migrants who are being housed at the St. Peter’s Community Center have not been revealed, and family members back in Africa are concerned.
Meanwhile in Basseterre, law enforcement officials have been questioning the migrants to get a better understanding of where they were headed and why they were travelling via the boat route.
Up to press time officials were said to be in a meeting to chart a way forward for both the recovery operation and the migrants.
