Distressed to see the crashed Caribbean Airlines’ Boeing 737 aircraft, Flight 523 from the United States through Piarco International Airport to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, Trinidad’s Prime Minister Kamala Persad-Bissessar said Saturday’s incident represented a “miracle.”
Trinidad’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Guyana's Transport Minister Robson Benn visit the crash site on the evening of July 30
“As a government and people, we are deeply saddened by what has happened here in Guyana. We know that the passengers (and) crew here must be traumatised by what has occurred…. At the same time, I think we can view this as nothing short of a miracle. It is a miracle. I have seen the aircraft; I have seen what occurred there. It is a miracle that there were no fatalities, and so we thank God for His mercies,” Persad-Bissessar stated.
She told the media following a tour of the crash site that the government and people of Trinidad and Tobago empathise with the victims of the crash and will do whatever they can to render assistance here.
“When I saw the aircraft… when the driver stopped, I was stunned by what I saw; and to know there were no casualties, no fire, no explosion… We empathise with them. I know that Caribbean Airlines is doing all that it can, together with the government of Guyana, to bring comfort to the passengers and crew men.” The Trinidadian prime minister said. “I do not think we can pre-empt or prejudice the investigations that are to take place, and so I would not be able to declare in any way what went wrong.
“Obviously, something did go wrong, and investigations will help us to determine what went wrong.” The prime minister noted that there is great need for the investigations to be done with much urgency, as all concerned are anxious to find out the cause(s) of the crash.
“We need to find out as quickly as possible (in order) to prevent any future occurrences.” The Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar said she did not intend for her maiden visit to Guyana to be under such sad circumstances.
“My first visit to Guyana… while I am pleased to be here, I am not happy to be here because of the circumstances.” The Trinidad head of state quickly pointed out that she felt the need to visit Guyana following the devastating crash as it is the duty of all Caricom nations to ensure that their sister territories and those who travel to them are safe and secure.
Surrounded by several members of the Trinidad and Guyana cabinets, when quizzed by the media about the possible impact of the crash, The Trinidadian prime minister said there is no doubt there will be negative impacts.
“There is no doubt that there will be an impact; there is no doubt whatsoever.
“…technology and across the world. Any plane crash … there will be some downsides, and I am sure we can work towards minimising such impacts.”
She continued: “Caribbean Airlines… those are matters we have to give serious consideration to. It’s not just Caribbean Airlines, but also tourism, visitors to the island, to the Caricom nations. We have to do damage control.” That aside, she noted that as it relates to the expenses incurred, some will be covered by insurance. She added that due consideration would be given to such issues.
The US$38 million aircraft was leased to the airline.
