On today’s date a High-level Meeting was hosted in Abaco by Island Administrator Maxine Duncombe, along with Under Secretary Montez Williams from The Office of The Prime Minister in reference to this past weekend’s Haitian boat tragedy off Fowl Cay near Man-O-War Cay, Abaco. Also, in attendance were Director of Immigration, Mr. Clarence A. Russell, Assistant Director of Immigration Ms. Fausteen Major-Smith Officer-In-Charge, Abaco District and other Immigration officials and other Senior Government & Private Personnel representing various Agencies inclusive of RBPF, RBDF, Hope Town Fire & Rescue, Department of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Services, Bahamas Red Cross Society, Bahamas National Trust and Abaco Christian Council.

At the meeting it was confirmed that the official death count to date stood at 27. Additionally, a total of 18 persons were rescued. It was further noted that while an additional body was spotted in water, officials were unable to retrieve it as it was surrounded by sharks.

Her Majesty’s Acting Coroner, Jeanine Weech-Gomez and team along with First Secretary Mr. Karl Henri Chatelier of The Embassy of The Republic of Haiti in The Bahamas were also on the ground in Abaco. All Official proceedings in reference to the handling of the deceased persons will be conducted in Abaco.

A meeting with First Secretary Chatelier  and the survivors of this ordeal is scheduled to take place sometime today.

Director of Immigration Mr. Clarence A. Russell expressed his sincere condolences and noted that investigations are ongoing into the cause of this tragic accident. He further noted that where persons are found to be culpable in this ordeal, they will be prosecuted to the full extent of the Law.