Update – Rescued Haitian nationals show no signs of cholera
When VINO reached the area this morning at around 9 a.m., the salvage crew had already left with the boat but the Coast Guard boat (to right) and a one-man search party in dinghy was still searching the area. The second rock from left is the area where they boat was submerged and several illegal migrants were found on the rocks. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – There are no known risk of cholera to the VI population as none of the detainees are exhibiting signs or symptoms of the disease. However, the Health Ministry will continue to monitor the situation and are working closely with other agencies to ensure the safety of the public, a police press release stated this afternoon.
Around 12:30 am this morning Police along with other law enforcement and rescue agencies searched for survivors after a boat carrying mostly Haitian immigrants ran aground on a reef off Brandywine Bay.
Her Majesty’s Customs, Virgin Islands Search and Rescue and U.S. Coast Guard were part of the early efforts to rescue individuals from the waters around the wreckage and to detain those that had made it on to shore.
Five bodies were found in the water and at the scene of the wreckage – two females, one male and two children. Among the survivors were 14 males and 11 females, six of which were hospitalised. Some 19 detainees are being held at the Detention Centre in Balshum Ghut, the police press release stated
The Governor and Premier have both been notified of the situation and have been briefed on the conditions of the detainees and any possible threats to the BVI public in light of the cholera epidemic in Haiti.
The release added, “On this situation, the Governor has stated that his office has been in contact with the Haitian government to brief them on this incident. In addition, the Ministry of Health and Social Development along with the BVI Health Services Authority are collaborating on health issues related to the detainees and are taking all necessary precautions to safeguard the BVI public.”
A 25-foot fiberglass boat which is believed to have transported the group has since been removed from scene and is now at the Police Marine Base.
St. Maarten law enforcement authorities were expected in the Territory this evening to assist the RVIPF in their investigations into the case.
A wide shot of the area where the boat was found and the migrants. Photo: VINO
11 Responses to “Update – Rescued Haitian nationals show no signs of cholera”
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Goodness gracious I am in tears to read this and see this situation yet again. Look how our Haitian brothers and sisters have to loose their lives just in an effort to seek a better way of life. People let’s pray from Haiti
sooooooooooooooooo sad..
Why is the US coast guard always chasing these people in the BVI waters? This is highly unfair and ridiculous as BVI government now have to undertake the cost of this mess all the time…another example of the big powers taking advantage of the small and venerable!
when dey cookie Jar man told ayo we need our own coast guard to protect we waters ayo laugh at he…now ayo see the version of what dey man waz sayin….
Because America is the bully of the world and do what they want to.
So you would rather the coast guard not help and just let these migrants die….wat by to be ignorant.
dem waz in us waters and waz ran into bvi waters so we can have the headace…thoes damm americans
what a sad way to spend xmas..with half your family drown, some missing, others detained. Jehovah send help
I just heard on zbvi that these Hitian aint have cholera….now that is good news for my lil lil Tola.
ppl just remember deeds are our brothers and sisters and any of us could have been trying to seek a better way of life. As Christians let’s keep them in our prayers.
how is it when the Cubans and the Chinese made to America shores they get full political asylum.why as black Caribbean people the Haitian’s are treated like that.Is the United States Coast guard job to save lives,they could have apprehended those people out to sea,But they did not.They are always forcing the humans on our hands,knowing that these People were destined for St Thomas Virgin islands.Its dirty politics,this is in humane and the coast guard should be held accountable for the lives of those Haitians.