By Kemo Cham
At least one Sierra Leonean is among five people confirmed dead in Guinea after a series of boat accidents plagued the country.
Guinean maritime authorities say two boat accidents occurred amid heavy rainstorm in early September.
Following investigations into the incidents, the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy issued a statement on Wednesday confirming five fatalities and several missing persons. Among those confirmed dead are Sierra Leoneans, Guineans and Chinese nationals.
According to the statement, the incidents involved a semi-industrial fishing vessel and an artisanal fishing boat. It noted that the first tragedy occurred on the high seas, off the coast of Kamsar, in the prefecture of Boké.
Guineematin.com cited local authorities saying that the fishing boat with nine people, including three Chinese, five Sierra Leoneans and a mechanic sank.
“To date, five deaths have been confirmed by the fisheries authorities, including Chinese, Sierra Leonean and Guinean nationals. Four crew members are still missing, while only one person has been rescued,” the statement said.
The identities of the victims were not disclosed.
Guinea has been overwhelmed by heavy rains and destructive flooding in the past months in the raining season, which led to deaths and destruction of properties.
In its statement, the Ministry of Fisheries called for utmost vigilance by seafarers.
“We call on all stakeholders in the fisheries sector to be extra vigilant, to observe the weather forecasts and to follow the instructions of port and landing stage managers, who have been instructed to ensure that each boat is equipped with the required safety equipment, such as life jackets, locator beacons and communication and warning systems, before issuing any fishing authorization,” the statement said.
Analysts say the tragedy demonstrates the dangers faced by maritime professionals and places particular emphasis on the importance of safety measures to be taken at sea at all levels.
