Missing fishermen: GDF debunks video of mutilated bodies

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has dispelled rumours circulating on social media regarding the alleged discovery of mutilated bodies belonging to the four missing fishermen – who disappeared last month at sea, and are yet to be found.
A video attesting that the gruesome find are the remains of those missing individuals has gained traction online. However, in a statement, the GDF has debunked any connection between the video in circulation and the disappearance of the fishermen.
“The GDF unequivocally asserts that the connection between the video and the disappearance of the fishermen is inaccurate and deceptive,” the GDF has stated.
Expressing concern over the impact of false information, the GDF has urged the public to refrain from sharing the video, emphasizing that it only adds unnecessary distress to the families of the missing fishermen.
The GDF statement has underscored the importance of exercising caution, and has advised against disseminating unverified information.
“The GDF wishes to reassure the public that search and rescue operations are actively ongoing by the Coast Guard with support from regional counterparts. our priority remains the safe and swift recovery of the missing men,” the statement outlined.

Disappearance
It has been some 19 days since the disappearance of the fishing vessel “Aseyah One”, along with its crew, and the Coast Guard has heightened its daily sea patrols and other search efforts in a desperate attempt to locate the missing men.
Those missing are Vickram Singh of Long Pond, West Bank Demerara (WBD); Worrin Yipsam, also called “Powas”, of Herstelling, East Bank Demerara (EBD); Hazrat Razack, called “Denno”, of Belle West, Canal No 2, WBD; and Cicil Persaud, also called “Dallas”, of Sisters Village, WBD.
The fishing vessel “Aseyah One” was last seen just before it departed to assist a vessel in distress. Notably, that vessel that had been in distress has since safely returned to port.
It has been reported that on November 16, these missing men had received a distress call via radio from their colleagues, who had gone out to sea since November 5. The men then boarded a small boat to take to their colleagues a battery and an alternator which were needed to fix that bigger boat. However, that vessel, “Red Snapper”, which had encountered mechanical issues, returned to shore without encountering the four men.
Operations to locate these men have been concentrated within Guyana’s maritime space, spanning from the Demerara River to the Waini River mouth, covering the maritime boundary in the North West Region. Vessel operations have also extended to target the shoreline within Guyana’s territorial waters. To date, the vessel patrols have covered an extensive area that is a little over 9000 nautical square miles.
On Monday, family members spoke with media operatives as they awaited word on the safe return of the fishermen. Dhanraj Persaud was among those awaiting word, since his father is among the missing men. He has accompanied the Coast Guard’s search party on several occasions, where both sea and air resources have been utilised.
“We ain’t see nothing. We don’t know if them guys drifting in the sea, but we’re asking Caribbean countries if they could help we look for them, because four lives are out there: my father, my cousin, the captain and a sailor. It’s four lives we’re looking at,” Persaud had voiced.
He recalled that on the day the men went out to sea, they were contacted at about 20:00h, and had communicated that everything was ‘okay’. They were expected to return the following Saturday, but this has not been the case. However, family members remain hopeful that the men are still alive. (G12)