The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard has confirmed the recovery of five bodies, with one person still missing following the November 8th boat collision off Chaguaramas.
Among those identified on Friday was 17-year-old Kieyanna Seechan.
Her relatives were inconsolable as they gathered near the Coast Guard headquarters in Staubles Bay, grappling with the news that the body of their daughter, niece, cousin and friend had been recovered from the water.
For her aunt Dixie Ann Philip, the youngster’s life was just beginning, as relatives recounted her dreams of becoming a teacher and other goals she was determined to accomplish.
“Kieyanna’s future was so bright; Kieyanna had so many plans. If you guys had gotten to know Kieyanna, you would have cried a lot, just like me. The last thing I know she told mummy is that she’s going to further her teaching. She loved that, she loved being around the children because they made her happy. So she was doing her stuff during the day in the school, and then she would go to Roytec in the evenings.”
According to the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, the bodies of five of the six people missing following Sunday’s collision between two pleasure craft had been recovered by Friday.
Four have been identified as 25-year-old Titus Augustine, 18-year-old Amir Ali, 38-year-old Anil Ahyee and 17-year-old Kieyanna Seechan. The fifth person is yet to be identified.
As authorities continue search and recovery efforts and the investigation into the incident, Minister of Defence Wayne Sturge confirmed that the boat involved in the incident, the Bamboleo vessel, is presently at Staubles Bay, disputing media reports suggesting otherwise.
Ms Philip admitted that she, like many other citizens, hoped for a different outcome, one that saw them celebrating with Kieyanna on her 18th birthday on December 9th.
“We knew, but we still had hope. You know, we still were praying for a miracle, that one miracle that might have made a difference throughout the country, because as far as we have seen through social media, the whole of Trinidad and Tobago has been mourning, not just for her, but for the other families as well.”
Despite this, she turned to the sea and thanked it for returning her niece, after making a quiet request on Thursday.
With a broken heart and barely any words left, she had this message for other families sharing the burden of the November 8th tragedy, while also expressing her hope for justice and closure: “Hold on, keep the faith. Don’t give up. Continue to pray. There is a God, and one way or the other, he will deliver.”