Oil Barge Sinks in Venezuela, 2 Dead and 4 Missing Amid Adverse Weather

A tragic incident occurred at Lake Maracaibo when an oil barge operated by a contractor of Venezuelan state-run energy company PDVSA sank, resulting in at least two deaths and four people being declared missing. Initially, reports indicated four fatalities, but PDVSA clarified that rescue efforts are ongoing to locate the missing individuals. The company attributed the sinking of the barge, named Chantase G and operated by SOSCA, to adverse weather conditions in the area.

Despite the grim outcome, 19 individuals were successfully rescued from the accident site on Thursday morning. This incident adds to a series of mishaps involving barges transporting Venezuelan oil and fuel between domestic ports and the Caribbean region. Notably, a significant fuel oil spill occurred near Tobago in March, affecting multiple Caribbean nations, when a barge carrying fuel from Venezuela capsized.

PDVSA expressed deep regret over the sinking of the barge and emphasized the challenging weather conditions as a contributing factor. The company’s statement highlighted the role of SOSCA as a provider of oil well maintenance services and underscored the ongoing search and rescue efforts for the missing individuals. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with maritime operations in the region and the importance of safety measures in preventing such tragedies.

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