Africa-Press – Cape verde. The search for missing people and objects in Porto Grande Bay, Mindelo, will be suspended for two days to await improved sea conditions, where an “organic spot” was detected.
This information was released today by Crisis Office spokesperson Vitória Veríssimo during the latest press conference to update the efforts following Storm Erin, which hit São Vicente on August 11th.
According to the same source, the “organic spot” was identified by US divers supporting the Cape Verdean Coast Guard with hydrographic equipment.
However, it has not yet been possible to determine whether the material is of human or animal origin, due to the great depth and the concentration of silt in the area.
Therefore, Vitória Veríssimo stated, diving operations will be suspended for two days until conditions improve and a new inspection and clear identification of the detected spot is possible.
On Saturday, August 30th, authorities managed to remove the last vehicle identified as lost from the sea, as well as a crate containing gas cylinders.
Regarding other matters, Vitória Veríssimo reported that this Monday, the move of displaced families from the shelters to the houses provided by the authorities in the Rozar Complex will begin.
She assured that the houses already have “decent conditions” with furniture, and the electrical work is being completed by Electra.
The city’s cleanup continues, as does the repair of sewage pipes, which continue to run in the open air in various parts of the island.
The Civil Protection Service has scheduled a meeting for Tuesday, August 2nd, with Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva and Minister of Internal Affairs Paulo Rocha to update them on all the actions implemented, 21 days after the storm.
The damage caused in São Vicente led the government to declare a state of emergency for six months on the island, as well as in Porto Novo (Santo Antão) and the two municipalities of São Nicolau.
Furthermore, a strategic response plan was announced that includes emergency support for families, as well as for economic activities, with credit lines with subsidized interest rates and non-refundable resources, justifying the decision with the “dramatic, exceptional situation.”
The measures will be financed by resources from the National Emergency Fund, created in 2019 to respond to natural disasters.
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