Brazilian national missing following boat incident in Cuyuni River

A Brazilian national is feared dead.

He disappeared when the boat he was travelling in capsized in the Cuyuni River Wednesday afternoon.

Jose De Ribamar Lisboa Silva was traveling with three other persons and the captain, 50-year-old James Bacchus.

The boat, with a 200 HP Yamaha outboard engine, is owned by 35-year-old Rondel Khan, a gold miner from Bartica.

Police Headquarters reported that the incident occurred at about 14:30 hrs in the vicinity of Akabusa/Fumbler Falls.

The boat was loaded with two engines and food supplies. Before departing, a fellow miner known as ‘Kedek’ asked Khan to transport Silva and two others to Quartstone Backdam.

While climbing the Akabusa/Fumbler Falls, the boat’s engine reportedly stopped working, causing the boat to drift before falling over the falls.

Everyone onboard managed to swim to safety but Silva went missing.

After the incident, the two other passengers managed to catch another passing boat and continued their journey.

Meanwhile Khan and the boat captain travelled to the Bartica Police Station to report the matter. Police said after statements were taken, the captain was taken into custody and is assisting with the investigation.