(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana)    CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque has extended “deepest sympathies” to the Government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines following the tragic vehicular accident which claimed a number of lives including school children.

In a condolence message to St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Hon. Ralph Gonsalves, Ambassador LaRocque said the disastrous occurrence has “deeply saddened” the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). He said “in this trying time of such grave loss, the Community stands with St. Vincent and the Grenadines”.

A bus carrying mostly school children overturned and plunged into the sea along the country’s north-eastern coast on Monday. Official reports say five persons were killed, fourteen were hospitalized and two are still missing.

Read the full message:

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is deeply saddened by the tragic vehicular accident in St. Vincent and the Grenadines which has claimed a number of lives. The Community’s grief is heightened by the fact that many among the deceased were school children.

This disastrous occurrence has plunged the country and the Community into a state of mourning. It is our hope that those injured in the accident will make a full recovery.

In this trying time of such grave loss, the Community stands with St. Vincent and the Grenadines and extends deepest sympathies to its Government and people and especially to the bereaved families.