St. Vincent and the Grenadines was thrown into a state of mourning Monday after a mini bus with about  16 school children and three other persons overturned between Fancy and Owia, on the island’s north east coast  and plunged into the sea below.  Official reports put the death toll at five.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves addressed the nation Monday morning  describing the tragedy as “an extremely sad moment”. He later visited the scene.

“A few students have been recovered in various states of injuries, but there are several others who are not yet recovered,”  the Prime Minister said.

Gonsalves said that the Coast Guard and other medical services were on the scene but rescue and recovery efforts were being hampered by the rough sea.

The Prime Minister also said that as a result of the tragedy, Monday’s presentation of the 2015 Budget has been postponed by unanimous decision (of Parliament) until Tuesday.