Tonight, a search and rescue operation is underway off the coast for Sandhill resident Samuel Chi, after a routine fishing trip took a dark turn. Two men were initially reported missing; while fellow villager and fishing buddy Albert Vacarro was found at midday today dehydrated and disoriented, Chi remains unaccounted for. The Belize Coast Guard and partner agencies continue to scour the area in an increasingly desperate search. Jaleeza Roberts has the details:
Albert Vacarro and Samuel Chi left Vista Del Mar at approximately 2:00 p.m. yesterday, intending to travel to Caye Caulker on a fishing trip. The pair was expected to return to the mainland by 7:00 p.m. yesterday. When they failed to arrive and relatives were unable to establish contact, police were notified, which triggered a multi-agency search and rescue operation. We spoke to the Operations Officer for the Belize Coast Guard, who explained what happened next:
Lt. Mark Choc, BCG Operations Officer
"The Coast Guard launched a joint operation at 9 a.m. this morning as a result of the two missing persons. Therefore, this joint operation was conducted by the Police, Coast Guard, the Port Authority, and the Fisheries Department. At around 11:30 a.m. this morning, Mr. Albert Vacarro was located southwest of Hicks Caye, approximately 10 miles north of Belize City. He was about five miles away from the coastline. Mr. Vacarro was found floating in that area where he was rescued, recovered from the water by the Coast Guard patrol. He was found dehydrated and disoriented. He was then transported to the Coast Guard Medic Center, where our medics conducted an initial medical assessment on his condition, where he was given basic assistance for rehydration. And of course, he was recommended by our medics to be transported to the KHMH, where he was later transported to receive further medical assistance."
The area between Belize City and Caye Caulker is among the country's most heavily traveled marine corridors, so what happened to these men is anyone's guess as Vacarro is still disoriented and incoherent.
Lt. Mark Choc, BCG Operations Officer
"Mr. Vacarro was interviewed. However, due to his condition and his state of mind when he was found, he was disoriented. He's still trying to ascertain what really happened to him. So therefore, we were not able to get much information from him. Priority was given to his health, so he was sent to KHMH to receive further assistance. And thereafter, we will continue to follow and gather information with him, with the assistance of the Police Department. We will continue to investigate this and try to locate Mr. Samuel Chi."
And earlier, there were reports circulating on social media that both men had been found safely, but the Coast Guard is warning against these false reports:
Lt. Mark Choc, BCG Operations Officer
"The Coast Guard is the lead maritime search and rescue agency. Therefore, if it's not from us, then it's not legitimate. I'm aware of information going around stating that both persons were found. However, we have reached out to several entities confirming this information. We have done several searches in areas, cays, to confirm this is true, but none or no one can confirm the location of Mr. Samuel Chi. So therefore, the Coast Guard is still searching for Mr. Chi and can confirm that he is still missing."
Jaleeza Roberts, 7News.
The Coast Guard will release updates as they become available.
