A deadly late-night marine collision off the coast of Anse Cochon, Saint Lucia, has left two women dead, 14 others injured, and two more unaccounted for, prompting a public statement of mourning and solidarity from the nation’s top leader.
The tragic incident unfolded at approximately 11:55 p.m. Saturday when two vessels — the larger craft Ocean Angel and the smaller pirogue Mango Tours — collided head-on along opposite travel routes. Preliminary law enforcement findings confirm Mango Tours was moving south when it struck the northbound Ocean Angel. The impact sank the smaller pirogue and left the larger vessel with significant structural damage.
In an official statement released Sunday, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre expressed profound sorrow over the lives lost, naming the two identified victims: 21-year-old Mhakeida Nestor from La Fargue, Choiseul, and 25-year-old Debbie Dolor from Market Road, Soufriere.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Saint Lucia, I extend my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of Mhakeida Nestor and Debbie Dolor,” Pierre said. “We mourn with you during this time of immense grief and pray that you find strength and comfort in the support of your families, friends and communities.”
The prime minister called on all Saint Lucians to hold not only the victims’ families but also the injured survivors and the relatives of the still-missing individuals in their thoughts and prayers. “Our thoughts are also with those who have been injured, and we wish them a full and speedy recovery,” he noted. “We remain especially mindful of the families anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones as search and rescue operations continue.”
Pierre also extended public praise to the first responder teams that have led the emergency response effort, including officers from the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, members of the Saint Lucia Fire Service, Coast Guard personnel, on-site medical teams, and every other volunteer and official involved in the search and recovery work. “Their professionalism, courage and dedication under extremely difficult circumstances are deeply appreciated,” he said.
He confirmed that the national government will continue to provide full logistical and operational support to both ongoing search efforts and the official investigation into what caused the collision. As of the latest update from police, search operations for the two missing people remain active, with investigators working systematically to piece together the full sequence of events that led to the disaster.