Massive hunt for 3 missing fishermen

Silverio Tepaz

It is now five days since the family of three Sarteneja fishermen last heard from them. Forty-nine year old Silverio Tepaz, his brother fifty year old Teobaldo Tepaz and nephew twenty year old Mijari Tepaz left for a fishing trip on April twelfth and are now lost at sea. They had been contacting their families every day, but the last phone call was on Friday night when Silverio told his wife that he would be home by Saturday night. But that was not the case. At sunset this evening, search parties that include the Coast Guard, the Belize Defence Force, fellow fishermen and family members, ended another day of combing the Glovers Reefs area and surrounding waters, but there is still no news on the whereabouts of the three men. The sunken vessel, Lucerito, was found near Glovers Reef late Tuesday afternoon by an aerial team, but it was empty. Subsequent dives conducted in the area by Coast Guard personnel also turned out fruitless. Tonight, there is growing concern in the Tepaz family that something may have gone terribly wrong. Acting Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard, Lieutenant Commander Elton Bennett, also revealed on Wednesday that foul play may have been involved in the disappearance of the fishermen. The probe continues, but as Bennett noted the search area widens everyday due to the waves and current while the chances of finding the men decrease. Anyone with information that can assist with locating Silverio, Teobaldo and Mijari, is asked to call the nearest police station.