Guyanese among 15 missing following piracy attack in Suriname

Suriname authorities  are searching for  more than a dozen fishermen , including Guyanese nationals , who were attacked and forced overboard by pirates in the neighbouring country on Friday evening.

According to reports in Suriname’s De Ware Tijd , the pirates robbed four fishing boats on Friday evening.

Of the total of twenty fishermen who were attacked, only four were found. Two fishermen were taken off of their boat with head injuries while two others were fished out of the water by other boats. Nothing is known about the fate of the others  , the report stated. It is feared that they have died.

De Ware Tijd stated that the four boats which were attacked by the pirates may be of Guyanese origin. The report said most crew members have been thrown overboard, according to witness statements at least three of them with a battery tied to their legs.

“I was in shock when I heard my son was missing, I cried all night and keep crying, I want to see my son, and the family in Guyana, among whom his father and brothers are crying,” said Joan Parris  mother of missing  21-year-old son Glenroy Jones.

The report stated that the four survivors of Friday night’s attack were put ashore in New Amsterdam on the Suriname coast. 

Since it became known that so many boats were raided, almost no one left for the catch, said secretary Mark Lall of the Vissercollectief. “People are afraid,” he said.  It is not the first time that so many boats have been attacked in one go.”But I have the impression that most of the deaths will now be regretted at once,” he said gloomily.

The Coast Guard, the Maritime Police, the Navy and fishermen sailed together to the area in an attempt to save lives and assess the situation. Coast Guard Director Jerry Slijngard said that after the police received the report, action was taken.

He argued  for the introduction of the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), which may be operational in one month. This system not only indicates where the boats are, but also has a “panic button”, or emergency button, so that an emergency signal can be sent out in the event of a calamity. “Then we know that there is a need, but also exactly where the boat is.

 

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