One Guyanese fisherman dead, three others missing; five suspected pirates arrested

Last Updated on Saturday, 28 May 2016, 16:56 by Denis Chabrol

One Guyanese fisherman has died and three others have been reported missing after pirates attacked them while they were in the Lower Shell Area, Nickerie, Suriname,  the Guyana Police Force said Saturday.

Five suspects have since been arrested in a boat at Number 65 Village, Corentyne. “During this morning, acting on information received, the police went to the No.65 Village Foreshore, Corentyne, where they saw a boat matching the description given. Five men who were aboard have been arrested and are in police custody assisting with the investigations,” police said in a statement.

The Guyana Police Force said it has already informed Surinamese police.

Dead is 44-year old Hemchand Sukhdeo of Number 55 Village, Corentyne.  Sukhdeo was one of the four crew members of the boat which was being captained by Seepersaud Persaud.

Persaud was thrown overboard by the five pirates who were armed with cutlasses. Police said Persaud was rescued by the crew of another fishing vessel in the area after drifting for some time.

Guyanese police were told that the incident occurred at about 11 O’clock Friday night, May 27, 2016. Persaud, 43 years, of No.78 Village, Corentyne, and four crew members were aboard a boat in Surinamese territory when another boat with five men armed with cutlasses came up alongside.

Investigators were also informed that the armed men boarded Persaud’s boat where they took away two 48hp outboard motor engines, tied up the four crew members and threw Seepersaud Persaud overboard.

The area was searched but neither the vessel nor the other three crew members have been located.

While at sea Seepersaud Persaud managed to contact persons at the No.66 Fishing Complex and informed them of the incident and gave a description of the boat that was used by the perpetrators. The boat was spotted and the occupants arrested.