A second body was found Thursday night in Scotland Bay. Four people remain missing after Sunday’s boat collision.
A second body, believed to be one of the people reported missing after Sunday’s boat collision off Chaguaramas, was recovered in Scotland Bay on Thursday night, police said. Police confirmed the discovery around 10 p.m., saying the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard had located the body and was removing it from the area. The man’s identity had not been confirmed late Thursday, and the body is expected to be taken to the Forensic Science Centre at Federation Park.
Earlier Thursday, the body of Anil Ahyee was recovered from waters near Point Cannings, Chaguaramas, shortly before 9 a.m. His family confirmed the identification, his mother, Elizabeth, said after a briefing by the Coast Guard. She said she was relieved to have closure, thanked people across Trinidad and Tobago for their support and was praying for the families of those still missing. Police have not publicly confirmed the identification.
The collision happened around 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8, near Point Cannings, close to Staubles Bay. Several passengers were thrown overboard and one of the two pleasure crafts sank, the Trinidad Express reported, putting the toll at 26 injured and six missing. Four people remain unaccounted for after Thursday night’s recovery. Police have not said what caused the collision.
The Coast Guard, police and the Hunters Search and Rescue team began searching as early as 6 a.m. Thursday, deploying boats and personnel. A Hunters representative said a smaller boat in the search found life vests that were not being worn by the missing. Maurice Brown, stepfather of Jahiem Richards, said the Coast Guard told the family the search continues on the outer rim with specialized equipment, including help from the energy sector, to account for currents and swells. Brown said he is holding onto hope that Richards may be found alive but did not rule out the worst. Police separately confirmed that a body found off Monos Island is unrelated to the search, the Express reported.
Attorney Faris Al-Rawi, who represents several people connected to one of the vessels, said they gave statements to police and helped at the scene. He rejected social media claims that a minor operated one of the boats, saying “There was no minor conducting any boat,” and warned against speculation. He said he could not discuss his clients’ involvement because of the ongoing investigation. Defence Minister Wayne Sturge met relatives of the missing at Staubles Bay on Thursday, and his ministry said it will keep working with the relevant agencies. Search operations are expected to resume Friday.
Attorney Faris Al-Rawi, who represents several people connected to one of the vessels, said they have given statements to police and rendered assistance at the scene. He rejected social media claims that a minor operated one of the boats. “There was no minor conducting any boat,” he said. He warned against speculation and said he could not discuss his clients’ involvement because of the ongoing investigation. Defence Minister Wayne Sturge met relatives of the missing at Staubles Bay on Thursday, and the ministry said it will continue working with relevant agencies as the search intensifies.