Surviving Cameroonians aboard superyacht Genevieve, moments after they were rescued by the captain and crew Photo courtesy Observer News Co/Captain Thomas Auckland)
Source: NEWSCO
Survivors of last week’s migrant boat tragedy – including two Antiguans – look set to be returned to Antigua from St Kitts within days.
No charges have been laid against those suspected of organising the doomed voyage, St Kitts police have confirmed to Observer.
Just three bodies out of a suspected 16 people killed have been recovered to date. Thirteen more people remain missing and are presumed dead.
Fishing vessel La Belle Michelle was badly overcrowded with around 30 Cameroonian migrants and two Antiguans when it capsized in St Kitts waters, en route from Antigua to the US Virgin Islands, on March 28.
One of the Antiguans questioned by St Kitts police has since been released to his mother, a Kittitian residing on the neighbouring island, sources say.
The three bodies are currently awaiting autopsies, police added.
Authorities in Antigua and Barbuda, along with Guadeloupe where La Belle Michelle was registered, are investigating the incident.
Antigua and Barbuda police spokesman Inspector Frankie Thomas told Observer the matter was being investigated by several agencies.
“We all have our part to play and we are doing what we need to do on our end,” he added.
Returned to whom? Returned to what? Returned to the Red Cross?
By now there needs to be a known UNHCR facilitated Refugee Centre. Are we now willing to accept that the Low Budget Tourists are actually Internally Displaced Persons. And therefore, in effect refugees? And that a refugee processing mechanism should be in place to others of them attempting the treacherous crossing?
When will the Ostrich take his head out of the Sand?
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Returned to whom? Returned to what? Returned to the Red Cross?
By now there needs to be a known UNHCR facilitated Refugee Centre. Are we now willing to accept that the Low Budget Tourists are actually Internally Displaced Persons. And therefore, in effect refugees? And that a refugee processing mechanism should be in place for others of them attempting the treacherous crossing?
When will the Ostrich take his head out of the Sand?