A group people who went missing during a fishing tripon Fridaywere found this morningby Venezuelan authorities.
T&T Coast Guard Communications Officer,Lt Cmdr Kirk Jean-Baptiste, said the missing group of about ten peoplewerespotted by Guardia Nacional off Los Mensajes, north of the Venezuelan mainland.The matter is being dealt with by Foreign Affairs ministry and the Venezuelan embassy.
The Guardian understandsthat the cargo was being inspected and that once the crew is cleared, they will be given fuel andescorted to the border.
Jean-Baptiste said the grouphad left the waterfront along the old Marabella trainline aboard the pirogue "Davi Ann" PFZ 94.Among those on the vessel were Forestry Division worker Christina Maharaj, 28, her neighbours Hendy Scott, 55, and Keston Moraine, 42, all of the Bayshore Avenue, Marabella.
There were various reports of theincident. Relatives of one of the women said that around12.30 pm Saturday, the pirogue carrying seven people left Maracas to go to Tobago and the pirogue disappeared between the islands.
Another report said that the vessel left Marabella at4.30 pm Fridaywith eight people and stalled off Maracas Bay. It was fixed and left Maracas Bay at9 pmto go to Pigeon Point, Tobago.
Yet anotherreport said the boat ran out of gas and was seen floating off Tobago earlySaturday.
However, searchesby both Coast Guard and Air Guard turned up empty in that area.