The preliminary findings indicate that the source of the disaster is an overturned and abandoned barge that was reportedly being tugged from Panama to Guyana.
The spill, which prompted the declaration of a national emergency, has led to the closure of at least two schools due to health concerns, prompting a comprehensive cleanup effort.
The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, aided by regional agencies and satellite imagery, has traced the journey of the barge and its tug boat from Panama to the South American nation of Guyana.
Foreign maritime security investigators have joined the efforts to determine the owner of the vessel and ascertain whether anyone was on board when the barge overturned off Tobago's coast. The search for the tug boat and its owner is still ongoing.
The incident has stirred anger among residents, with Farley Augustine, chief secretary of Tobago’s House of Assembly, demanding accountability and financial responsibility for the cleanup.
Augustine emphasized the need for transparency regarding the transported material and quantity, expressing the community's concern about the impact on their environment.
National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds assured that the investigation is ongoing and expressed hope for a swift and successful resolution.
As authorities work to address the aftermath of the spill, the maritime community remains vigilant for updates on the investigation's progress.
