A group of friends, four from Baie du Tombeau, one from Port-Louis and one from Coteau Raffin, went off Le Morne for a fishing trip on Saturday, March 4. The day had started well for these six people, until a large wave capsized the boat, which bears the name Another Sensation. The owner of the boat, Alain Fok Chan, a resident of Baie du Tombeau who was at home, gave the alert. Immediately, elements of the National Coast Guard (NCG) who conducted a search operation were to recover three survivors. In the meantime, the police helicopter was called in. The bodies of François Soobrayen, a resident of Coteau Raffin and Steeve Fok Chan, 61 years old, brother of the owner of Another Sensation and a resident of Baie du Tombeau, were found in the water. The body of Richard Ng Neng Kwong, 63 years old resident of Courcy Street, Port-Louis who was reported missing was recovered shortly around 3 pm.
It was around 11 a.m. this Saturday, March 4, that the NCG police officers began a search operation after being alerted that a boat had capsized off Le Morne. The logistical support of the police helicopter was requested. Three survivors, all residents of Baie du Tombeau, Bruce Chong Koo Chin, 46, an employee of Maubank, Steeven Chong Kwee, 35, an employee of IBL, and Nawshad Madhoo, 36, were rescued from the water and transported to shore before being taken to hospital for treatment. The search for the missing man was still underway on Saturday.
The three recovered bodies were taken to the Victoria Hospital morgue in Candos for an autopsy. The autopsy was performed by Dr. Sudesh Kumar Gungadin, the head of the forensic department of the police. He attributed the cause of death to asphyxiation due to drowning.
An investigation was initiated at the level of the police station of La Gaulette to know the exact circumstances of this tragedy.
