Speedboat sinks with local athletes onboard; no casualties reported

A Parika -Supenaam speedboat transporting athletes from Region One (Barima-Waini) sank in the Essequibo River earlier on Monday. The athletes who competed in the recent Indigenous Heritage Games held in Georgetown, are all safe.

The incident occurred just after midday on Monday.

Regional Commander Mahendra Siwnarine told the News Room that the vessel was part of a fleet transporting the athletes from Parika to Supenaam.

Commander Siwnarine said while in the vicinity of Great Troolie Island, one of the vessels began taking in water and “as a result went close to the shoreline while the passengers were transferred to another boat.”

He said they are still awaiting information further details into the incident from the Maritime Administration Department.