PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (TTCG) says it has so far rescued nine Venezuelans after a boat carrying passengers bound for the twin island republic overturned near the Bocas Islands on Wednesday.

In an updated release late Thursday, TTCG said that five more people, in addition to the four previously rescued, were found by the Venezuelan Coast Guard in Venezuelan waters approximately 55 kilometres north of the crash site, which was close to Los Patos island (near the Bocas).

The stranded passengers were found approximately 44 kilometres north of Punta Peñas, Venezuela.

The TTCG was also informed that although there were 25 people on the registered list of passengers, there were nine people who were on the vessel but had not been listed.

As a result, at the latest count, although nine people were rescued, 25 people are still missing at sea.

The TTCG said vessels were deployed to assist with the rescue operation after the vessel capsized near Los Patos Island in the Gulf of Paria late Wednesday.

”Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard assets have already been actioned to aid in the search and rescue operation and further vessel deployments will be coordinated, once required.”

The TTCG said it received a report around 11:40 pm on Wednesday that the B/P Jhonnaly Jose which left Güiria, Venezuela on Tuesday, had overturned at sea.

The Coast Guard was told that the boat’s last known position was just east of Patos Island (an island in the northwestern Gulf of Paria which forms part of Venezuela) around 8:30 am on Thursday.

Several Venezuelans have come here to escape the economic and political situation in the South American country where the United States is leading an offensive to remove President Nicolas Maduro from office.

The Trinidad and Tobago government said it had agreed to open a two-week registration for Venezuelans to allow them an initial stay of six months in which they can also work in the twin island republic.

Venezuelans, who arrive here legally or illegally, will benefit from the process and National Security Minister Stuart Young said the Venezuelans would undergo medical examinations and at the end of the six months, will have their situations evaluated before another six-month period becomes available to them.