11 Venezuelans drown during their way to Trinidad and Tobago

The Coast Guard said it received notice from Venezuelan officials that eleven bodies had been recovered from the rivers close to the Venezuelan coastal town of Guiria.

Nine other bodies have still not been accounted for. The vessel, according to preliminary data, departed Guiria on December 6 with more than 20 people on board.

According to the Coast Guard, the people have not been seen or heard from that day.

Coast Guard officials have said that the Rescue Coordination Center has since finished assets as part of a joint search effort with Venezuelan authorities.

The Coast Guard added that it also proceeds to provide border security services at the time of the threat of COVID-19 to “maintain the safety and security of Trinidad and Tobago during the conduct of shore security patrols within our area of orders”.