two dead after boat capsizes at finish of Route du Rhum – RT in French

Two people died on November 16 after the capsizing of a follower boat at the arrival of the famous regatta, the Route du Rhum, off Guadeloupe, the public prosecutor of Pointe-à-Pitre told AFP. in Pitre.

On the morning of November 16, two people died after a follower boat capsized during the arrival of the Route du Rhum, off Guadeloupe.

A judicial investigation has been opened for involuntary homicides, the prosecution told AFP, through the public prosecutor of Pointe-à-Pitre, stressing that “the precise assessment [était] pending”.

The boat was chartered by the organization of the race, said prosecutor Patrick Desjardins.

According to local media, a dozen people were on board the boat following the winner of the event Charles Caudrelier, who like all competitors must circumvent the island before crossing the finish line at Pointe-à -Pitre, accompanied by a multitude of follower boats.

The race organization has assured that the celebrations planned for the arrival of the sailors have been canceled for the day.

The accident, the circumstances of which have not been specified, would have taken place one nautical mile from the coast, according to a close source.

The National Society for Rescue at Sea (SNSM) rescued the victims, taken care of once ashore by the firefighters, according to the latter.