Five bodies recovered after deadly boat collision in Chaguaramas, one person missing

Trinidad and Tobago: Five people have been confirmed dead following a boat collision in Chaguaramas on Sunday, November 8, while search efforts continue for one passenger who remains missing.

A 28-feet vessel named Bambaleo and a 29-foot Chantelle vessel named Belbagai collided. The collision threw several passengers into the sea and sank one of the boats, leaving 26 people injured.

Initially one body was discovered of a man who was identified by his mother as 38-year-old Anil Ahyee of Carenage and was found floating near Point Cannings. A couple of hours later Captain Vallence Rambharat led Hunters Search and Rescue discovered the second body around 10pm at Scotland Bay.

The other bodies that were found identified as follows, a 25-year-old Titus Augustine of Arouca, 18-year-old Amir Ali of La Horquette Branch Road and 17-year-old Kieyanna Seechan both of them belong to Point Cumana, Chaguarmas. Searchers also recovered the body of 23-year-old Jaheim Richards. The only victim still missing is Lorenzo Oliver, 35, of Fourth Street, Sparrow Drive.

While speaking with the reporters at Chaquacabana, Chaguaramas, yesterday, Dixie-Ann Phillip, Seechan’s Aunt, described that the recovery of her niece’s body is an answered prayer.

“Let’s be honest, we knew, but we still had hope. We were still praying for a miracle, that one miracle that might have made a difference throughout the country because, as far as we have seen through social media, the whole of Trinidad and Tobago has been mourning, not just for her but for the other families as well,” Phillip said.

Seechan’s aunt recalled her visit to the shoreline the day before and reflected upon the significance of the third day whilst praying for her niece’s return.

“Yesterday, I came and I realised it was three days and, from the Bible, after three days she should rise, at least that’s what I believe and what I was told. I may be wrong. So on the third day I came and I spoke to her (the sea), and I said, ‘I’m a mother, I’m a daughter, I’m a sister, I’m a niece, I’m a grandmother and all I’m asking for is for you to give her back to us.’

“So when I was on my way here and I heard that they found a body and it’s hers, I think it was only fair for me to tell the sea thanks.”

Locals have shared their prayers on social media for the victims. One of the users commented, “It was 6:30 at night. How in a pirogue they could see who was driving the other boat who had a number youngsters aboard. Ask them if they had running lights. Lets start to make sense of what really happened and stop the misinformation, Time to investigate the captain of the pirogue.”

Another user stated that “The sea is so vast in area yet there was a collision?? We are not talking about a narrow road or steam - this is the sea. Something is not too right about this.”

Numerous people were saved and rescued by the passengers aboard the Bambaleo and another vessel in the proximity before being transported to the T&T Coast Guard base at Staubles Bay.

At St James Medical Facility, more than six people from Belbagai were treated for injuries, while three of them were transferred to the Port of Spain General Hospital for further treatment. 17 passengers that were on board the Bambaleo were examined and later discharged.