At least three people have reportedly died, several others have been injured, and one person remains missing following a late-night boat collision off Saint Lucia’s west coast.
According to the St. Lucia Times, the head-on collision occurred around midnight in waters between Soufrière and Canaries. One vessel was travelling south while the other was heading north when the accident happened.
Reportedly, several passengers suffered serious injuries, including broken arms, broken legs, and other injuries. Emergency responders launched search and rescue operations, which were continuing as authorities searched for the missing individual.
In an official statement, the country’s prime minister, Philip J. Pierre, expressed condolences following the tragedy, identifying two of the victims as Mhakeida Nestor and Debbie Dolor.
“It is with profound sadness that I learned of the tragic marine collision at Anse Cochon, which has claimed the lives of two young Saint Lucians and left several others injured, while search and rescue efforts continue for those who remain missing.”
The prime minister also extended sympathy to the victims’ families, wished those injured a full recovery, and acknowledged the anguish of relatives awaiting news of missing loved ones.
Pierre commended officers of the Royal St Lucia Police Force, the St Lucia Fire Service, the Coast Guard, medical personnel and all others involved in the emergency response for their efforts.
“The government will continue to support the ongoing response and the investigations into the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident,” he said, while urging the public to keep the victims, their families, the injured, the missing and emergency responders in their thoughts and prayers.
