A devastating late-night boat collision off the western coast of Saint Lucia has claimed the lives of two young women, left 14 others injured, and left two more unaccounted for, prompting an outpouring of grief from the country’s top leader. On Saturday night at roughly 11:55 p.m., the larger vessel Ocean Angel collided with the smaller pirogue Mango Tours in waters near Anse Cochon, a collision that proved fatal for two people onboard the smaller craft. The impact sent Mango Tours to the ocean floor, while the Ocean Angel suffered major structural damage that has not resulted in its sinking. Local law enforcement have publicly identified the two deceased victims: 21-year-old Mhakeida Nestor, who hails from La Fargue, Choiseul, and 25-year-old Debbie Dolor of Market Road, Soufrière. In the wake of the tragedy, Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has offered official condolences on behalf of the island nation’s government and general public. “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 stated in remarks following the incident. “We mourn with you during this time of immense grief.” Beyond his sympathies for the families of the deceased, Pierre noted that his full attention and prayers are with the 14 injured individuals and the loved ones of the two missing people who are still waiting for word on their relatives’ fates. Early investigations led by the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force have confirmed the basic direction of both vessels at the time of impact: Mango Tours was traveling south through the coastal waters when it collided with the northbound Ocean Angel. Emergency response teams launched search efforts immediately after the collision, and continued active searching for the two missing people through Sunday. The prime minister publicly praised the fast and coordinated work of all first responders and emergency personnel who mobilized to the scene, including the Police Marine Unit, the Saint Lucia Fire Service, the national Coast Guard, local medical teams, and all other supporting agencies that joined the response effort. “The Government will continue to support the ongoing response and the investigations into the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident,” Pierre affirmed. As of the latest updates from law enforcement, both the search-and-rescue operation for the two missing people and the full official investigation into the root causes of the collision remain active and ongoing.