Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

'Bomb threat' on VI & USVI may not be credible- VITEMA

- USVI ports continue to operate at the normal level of security with no changes in scheduled flights into & out of the territory
The (US) Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) believes the alleged plot to blow up the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island, Virgin Islands as well as airports in the US Virgin Islands (USVI) may not be credible and its ports continue to operate at the normal level of security with no changes in scheduled flights into and out of the territory. Photo: VIC
It was being circulated widely on social network on April 14, 2016 that terrorists had planned to “blow up” the Terrance B. International Airport on Beef Island as well as airports in the US Virgin Islands. Photo: Provided
It was being circulated widely on social network on April 14, 2016 that terrorists had planned to “blow up” the Terrance B. International Airport on Beef Island as well as airports in the US Virgin Islands. Photo: Provided
According to VITEMA Director Mona Barnes, there is no specific, credible intelligence of any plot to attack the Virgin Islands or US Virgin Islands and that the threat is considered unconfirmed. Photo: VIC
According to VITEMA Director Mona Barnes, there is no specific, credible intelligence of any plot to attack the Virgin Islands or US Virgin Islands and that the threat is considered unconfirmed. Photo: VIC
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The (US) Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) believes the alleged plot to blow up the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island, Virgin Islands as well as airports in the US Virgin Islands (USVI) may not be credible and its ports continue to operate at the normal level of security with no changes in scheduled flights into and out of the territory.

It was being circulated widely on social network on April 14, 2016 that terrorists had planned to “blow up” the Terrance B. International Airport on Beef Island as well as airports in the US Virgin Islands.

According to the statement posted online, the terrorist act was planned for today, April 15, 2016.

A press release from the Department of Information late yesterday, April 14, 2016, stated that the National Security Council (NSC), jointly chaired by the Governor John S. Duncan, OBE and the Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith, convened a special meeting on the afternoon of April 14, 2016 to consider appropriate action in light of the potential security threat to the territory.

“The NSC decided to strengthen security across the Territory as a precautionary measure and also requested the public to remain vigilant in light of a possible threat and to report any suspicious activity by telephoning 311 or 1-800-TIPS (8477). The NSC also advised that those persons with travel plans may experience limited disruptions,” the press release stated.

But according to USVI news website VI Consortium, local and federal authorities moved swiftly on Thursday April 14, 2016 to address reports spreading throughout the territory about a possible terrorist threat in the US or [British] Virgin Islands.

It said VITEMA Director Mona Barnes stated that US Coast Guard officials reported to VITEMA that at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday April 13, 2016, the US Coast Guard Command Center at San Juan received a telephone call from an unknown individual who stated that a terrorist threat was made against the [British] Virgin Islands’ Beef Island Airport and against the US Virgin Islands in general.

As a matter of protocol, the incident was provided as situational awareness to port and facility security personnel in the territory. Since then, the situational awareness report has been circulated and recirculated and has emerged in social media networks as factual information. Numerous residents have also called into VITEMA to inquire about the status of flights into the USVI and whether there is an elevated threat level currently in effect, VI Consortium reported.

“VITEMA is working in close collaboration with local and federal authorities including the US Department of Homeland Security, US Coast Guard, FBI and the VI Police Department, to verify whether this threat is credible and whether elevated security measures are necessary,” Ms Barnes said.

No credible evidence

She added: “Presently, we have no specific, credible intelligence of any plot to attack the British or US Virgin Islands. This threat is considered unconfirmed. At present, our ports continue to operate at the normal level of security with no changes in scheduled flights into and out of the territory. However, if the level of port security changes, VITEMA will update the public as soon as new information becomes available.”

Ms Barnes added that VITEMA is the official source of information for any threat to the territory.

“I want to also assure the community that VITEMA, working with local and federal partners, remains fully engaged in the effort to identify and disrupt terrorist activity in the US Virgin Islands,” she said.

USVI Governor Kenneth E. Mapp and his staff were apprised of the threat on Wednesday and have been closely monitoring the incident.

“It is important to always remain vigilant and aware of your surroundings,” Mr Mapp said. “Public awareness and vigilance are vital to our homeland security efforts, and have in fact, prevented terrorist or criminal acts in the past. I thank all those responders who are working to investigate and address any threat to our community.”

10 Responses to “'Bomb threat' on VI & USVI may not be credible- VITEMA”

  • the people (15/04/2016, 15:10) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    This government will try anything to put and keep fair in the hearts of the people. The games your putting upon your people. The people shall strike back. You can fool some people some of the time but you can't fool all of the people all the time. I have spoken.
  • 11 (15/04/2016, 15:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    11
  • Concerned (15/04/2016, 15:30) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Easy for VITEMA to say but here in the BVI we can't take it lightly. Simply because we do not have the same backing of military that they have and when we relax our guard they tighten their security and BAM here comes the bride.
  • wolf wolf (15/04/2016, 17:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    maybe they were just checking our awareness?
  • next (15/04/2016, 17:17) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Terrorist plot is nothing to take simple they will say they are going to do something today but they won't but trust in mind they will so it .they just wants us to forget about the plot for today get comfortable then they will strike .always beware if your surroundings
  • rattie (15/04/2016, 17:27) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    I do not trust anything coming from the bvi government..i mean NOTHING
  • its fake (15/04/2016, 19:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I believe that it is fake why would they want to blow up tortola but we are so small on the map not saying they should but they would most likely to blow up st.thomas or one of those bigger islands than us
  • bbc (16/04/2016, 08:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    they had the wrong place maybe they meant the Spanish BVI
  • Thinking conspiracy (16/04/2016, 17:56) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    I just want to start by saying this is only a theory and I have no hard evidence of this.

    But the past events have not been adding up to me. Firstly I want to say I think the US is behind the Panama Papers leak. It is a way to help destroy the off shore banking industry. Tax havens provide a service that takes millions of tax dollars away from the US hands so being that they are in financial difficults (a massive depth). They want their money back in the US money circulation.

    The leak is to help kill tax havens. I think some sort of deal between the US and countries affected by this leak. Due to these resent terrorist treat us planes were able to land here. without drawing attention. This treat was to distract the public to what is really happening.

    This issue goes deeper than many may think.I won't go into any more details but awake up and realize the times we live in. Lies are massly spread to cover up the corrupt moves of government officials.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.