Overload Caused Guiria Shipwreck According to Investigations

Venezuelan Ministry for Interior Relations, Justice and Peace, through an official statement, reported the official results of the investigations carried out in relation to the tragedy that occurred in Güiria on December 6. Below is the text of the full statement:

The National Government complies with the duty to inform the country about the results of the technical and forensic investigations carried out by specialized bodies, in relation to the tragedy that occurred in Güiria and which has caused immense regret to the Venezuelan people.

On December 6, 2020, the ship identified as “My Memory” was wrecked in the Gulf of Paria, approximately 11 nautical miles from the departure point, located in the El Rincón sector, Güiria, Sucre state.

On the boat was a group of people who were going to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to spend the Christmas holidays with their families and others were going to work in previously arranged positions.

The main cause of the wreck was the overloading of the fiberglass rock-type boat, which, having a capacity for 8 people and a maximum weight of 2 tons, carried 41 people and a weight of approximately 4 tons.

Additionally, they did not have life jackets or the necessary safety equipment for navigation; coupled with the prevailing bad weather in the area at the time of the accident, influencing the incidence of northwesterly trade winds, which caused a swell of 2 to 3 meters.

It is important to note that the vessel left an illegal place and covertly at night, with the intention of evading the maritime controls established by the security agencies of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

The National Government, in order to guarantee due protection of the Venezuelan people, has provided greater controls and security devices so that these events do not occur again. Likewise provided, comprehensive social support to the affected families, accompanying them in their pain for these irreparable losses in such a regrettable accident, including the communities where they lived, all our solidarity for the People of Güiria.

Finally, we reject the political manipulation of extremist sectors that, without any consideration for the pain of the Venezuelan families who lost their loved ones, have used the image and memory of the deceased, in their attempt to affect the stability of the country, as well as the adequate coordination relations between the governments of Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago.

Caracas, December 25, 2020.

Admiral Carmen Teresa Meléndez Rivas

Featured image: The governor of Sucre state, Edwin Rojas, reported through his social networks that this Wednesday 5 bodies were found related to the Güiria tragedy. Photo: Courtesy.

Translation: OT/JRE/EF