One feared dead as pirates strike in Corentyne River

By Leroy Smith

Fisher folks from the Corentyne area are currently searching for the body of 45-year-old Mahadeo Ramdehal called ‘Chico’ of 145 Kilcoy Squatting area, Corentyne, Berbice. The search commenced last night (Tuesday, May 16, 2017), hours after the man and his crew were attacked at sea by pirates.

The News Room has been informed that sometime around 18.30hrs on Tuesday, boat captain Ramdehal and two other men were out fishing in the Tain, Corentyne, Berbice area, when they were approached by two masked men wielding cutlasses.

The men demanded that they hand over their 40 Horse Power Outboard Yamaha Engine as well as their catch. Th captain and his two-member crew complied. The pirates then ordered the three to join the boat belonging to the suspects and again they complied, leaving their boat to drift.

After travelling a short distance, the pirates then ordered Mahadeo and his two crew members to jump out of the boat, and after some hesitation, one of the men were struck with a cutlass forcing them to comply.

After the pirates left, the men attempted to swim to shore. However, the captain reportedly told his crew members that he can no longer make it and shortly after he disappeared. The other two were rescued by a passing boat.

They were taken to shore and eventually made a report at the Whim Police Station. At about 22:00hrs, one of the crew members decided to go and look for Ramdehal but upto news time this morning, there was no word from him.

The men left to go fishing on Monday afternoon (May 15, 2017) from the Albion Foreshore aboard wooden vessel “Veroni” which is owned by a resident of Fyrish, Corentyne, Berbice.