The bodies of eight persons, including several children who were involved in a boat accident on the Coppename River in Suriname early Friday morning, have been recovered, however, up to late yesterday, authorities were still searching for a pregnant woman and her three-year-old son.
Seven of the bodies were recovered following the mishap, while another, that of an eight-year-old girl, washed up on the banks of the Coesewijner River yesterday.
According to the de Ware Tijd newspaper, there were 30 persons aboard when tragedy struck. The survivors, the dead, and the missing, are residents of Corneliskondre, an indigenous village.
According to the newspaper report, the group left the village around midnight and were heading to Boskamp, a fishing village, when tragedy struck around 2 am near Kalebaskreek, another indigenous village. Survivors told the newspaper that at some point, the water began entering the boat because of high waves and the passengers panicked and moved to one side of the vessel. They recounted that they tried to get the water out of the boat with all their might, but to no avail. The boat began to sink and the passengers were left huddled together in the water. However, a big wave came and tore them apart. Several vanished into the depths of the river. Many managed to survive by swimming and clinging onto floating objects, including ice boxes. Several managed to reach the shore safely.
The newspaper reported that a father who survived the tragedy said that his two children, who were also in the boat, survived the drama because he had them put on life jackets. Based on media reports, four persons in total were wearing life jackets, which are compulsory when travelling by river.
Reynold Janomo told the Surinamese media that his wife and son were the only ones in the boat that wore life jackets. He said that his family reached the shore around 4am.
“I had an ice box with me and I had to do everything to float with it, I also drew two other children and was close to my son and wife, but at some point I would disappear into the depths, because I had a kettle pack that made it hard for me to swim,” he was quoted on dwtonline.com as saying.
“I told my wife that I am dying, but she was then able to pull me off the tank suit, and only then could I swim well,” he said, adding that he and the other passengers were powerless against the turbulent water without the life jackets.
A 69-year-old woman, her 41-year-old daughter and four-year-old granddaughter, are among those who perished.
President Desi Bouterse, on Friday visited the survivors at the hospital.
The tragedy is said to be one of the worst boat accidents to have occurred in the country.
