US provides aircraft to assist in search for missing tourists

The search continues for the missing American couple, Oscar Suarez, 32, and Magdalena Devil, 25.

On Saturday morning, Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Kerrie Symmonds gave an update on the search for the couple who disappeared off the West Coast of Barbados on Monday.

With the additional 72 hours lapsing on Sunday at 6:30 p.m., Symmonds said he will be providing daily updates on the progress of the search.

Flanked by Acting Lieutenant Commander Ryan Alleyne and Barbados Defence Force Chief of Staff, Glynne Grannum, the minister revealed the search party has travelled to the north and north east of Barbados.

With assistance from an Air Force C130 from the US Government, the search has spanned the south western and south eastern side of St Vincent and St Lucia, and as far north as the western side of Martinique.

Symmonds denied reports that the bodies of Devil and Suarez were discovered off the coast of St Lucia, saying that the rumours were “entirely untrue”.

“I urge us [Barbadians] to be mindful of the fact that the couple both have families on the island at this point and what they are going through is really unimaginable. It is a tremendous level of personal pain, distress and concern; and what is really most unhelpful for them to be put through emotional peaks and troughs like a rollercoaster based on empty speculation of what is largely idle gossip.”

When questioned about the equipping Jet Ski operators with GPS in the future, the Minister of Tourism stated that an examination of the regulatory environment of the business was needed.

“This brings it sharp into focus that this is a matter that we as a country need to reflect on,” he said.

Symmonds announced that another update will be given on Sunday, June 30 at 9:45 a.m. (KK)