How Sao Tome Fishermen Lost In Atlantic Ocean Was Rescued In Bayelsa
- AFIMAG.com –
Two fishermen identified as Antonio Sabino and Osorio Pires from Neves in SaôTomē and Principe, lost in the Atlantic Ocean for five days have been rescued in Brass Council Area of Bayelsa State.
The fishermen who speak Portuguese, were rescued by a fishing trawler in the Gulf of Guinea and handed over to fishermen from Okpoama on the Atlantic coast of Brass who took them ashore.
Chairman of the Okpoama Kingdom Security Committee, Chief Munalayefa William-Sinte, said the malnourished and frail-looking men were clothed and fed before they were handed over to the Police for necessary action.
According to him, the fishermen were visibly worried but were calmed with sign language before they were handed over to the Police as it was impossible to communicate with them as a result of language barrier.
Chief Sinte also stated that a fisherman from Ilaje in Ondo State, but resident in Okpoama, has been missing for over a week and his colleagues have been searching the ocean for days.
Reacting, spokesman of the state police command, SP Asinim Bustwat, said the The Divisional Police Officer of Okpoama Division, Brass Local Government Area has taken custody of the fishermen.
Bustwat said: “The Divisional Police Officer of Okpoama Division, Brass Local Government Area has taken custody of two fishermen who were rescued by a Captain of a fishing trawler at 50 nautical miles off the Atlantic ocean, on 2 July 2023.
“The two fishermen, Antonio Sabino ‘m’ 52 years and Osorio Pires ‘m’ 41 years, from Neves in Saô-Tomē and Principe got lost in the Atlantic Ocean for five days before being rescued by a trawler.
“The Police authorities have established contact with a coast guard officer from Saô Tomē and Principe and are making concerted effort to reunite them with their families.”