BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – The jet ski that was rented by the American tourists that went missing in Barbados late June, has been spotted off the coast of the island of Guadeloupe.
On Saturday, July 6, personnel from the French Navy contacted their counterparts at the Barbados Coast Guard and informed them that a jet ski bearing the registration number of the one that went missing on June 24, with two American tourists aboard, was spotted off the coast of Guadeloupe.
However, French authorities said there was no sign of the couple, Oscar Suarez, 32, or Magdalena Devil, 25.
“Be informed that this Saturday, July 6, at 1645Z, the French navy ship Ventôse has localised the jet ski …it seems to be the jet ski involved in your search and rescue operation, concerning two US citizens”, said Guadeloupe Navy officials.
Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Minister of Tourism Kerrie Symmonds have since been informed of the discovery and local authorities have stated that will make immediate contact with the families to inform them of the development.
Last Monday Prime Minister Mottley met with the families of the missing couple and expressed regret at the unfortunate events and invited them to return to this island anytime over the next year at Government’s expense, if it would assist them in bringing closure to the matter.
Last week, the authorities called off the search at sea for Suarez and Devil.
The couple had rented a jet ski from an establishment in St. James, north of here, on June 24. When the couple failed to return after 20 minutes, the jet ski operator became concerned and began to search for them. Officials said that the couple wore life jackets at the time they departed the island coast.
The local Police Marine Unite and Barbados Coast Guard launched a week-long search for the couple, expanding to a range that encompassed more than 600 nautical miles. The U.S. Air Force also assisted in the search before authorities called it off last Monday.
Suarez and Devil arrived in Barbados on June 22 and were scheduled to stay for a week. Shortly after the couple disappeared, family members fly to Barbados to assist in searching and handed out flyers on a beach on the island’s west coast.
