18 tourists in shotgun terror

BY TANEKA THOMPSON

TWO men wielding shotguns robbed 18 tourists who were on an eco-tour yesterday.

The brutal thugs also gun-butted a Bahamian woman during the robbery, however her injuries are not life-threatening. She was the only one hurt during the hold-up.

The visitors, who were passengers on the Disney and Royal Caribbean cruise lines, were part of two separate groups touring the Bahamas Association for Social Health's (BASH) Earth Village in the former Perpall Tract Wellfield area when they were attacked at about 1pm.

The men tied up the Bahamian tour guide with the first group and ordered them to the ground before robbing them of money, passports, cell phones, credit cards and personal items.

During the robbery, a second group of visitors approached and were also held up.

National Security Minister Tommy Turnquest, flanked by Commissioner of Police Reginald Ferguson, several senior police officers and Ministry of Tourism officials, ordered an impromptu press conference at police headquarters last night.

Mr Turnquest told reporters the incident was one of grave concern.

"The last thing that we want to happen is to have our tourist destination marred by these thugs," he said.

The Minister said every available police unit was being utilisied to track down the suspects.

And he vowed that patrols would be stepped up in light of the recent spate of armed robberies throughout the capital.

Tourism Director General Vernice Walkine said incidents of this type make it "harder" for tourism officials "to promote the country as a place to consider for a vacation".

Terry Miller, Executive Director of BASH, said "no one was really injured" during the robbery.

The tourists were at the entrance to the Earth Village when they were accosted by the gunmen and robbed of jewelry, wallets and handbags.

An officer said the men attempted to steal "whatever they could take".

Swarmed

Within minutes, a large contingent of police swarmed the area. The quick response was praised by Mr Miller.

Last night two men were helping police with their inquiries.

Meanwhile, in another tourist-related matter, a 43-year-old Canadian man had his wallet snatched by a thief as he walked on Bay Street near Navy Lion Road. The man, who had his wallet in his hand after making a purchase at a nearby store, was walking with his brother at the time.

A 49-year-old man was arrested.

Published On:Saturday, November 21, 2009