Update on sunken vessel – Galatea |14 March 2026
Minister Veronique Laporte leading the panel this afternoon at Botanical House (Photo: Kurtrine Albert)
Update on sunken vessel – Galatea
Out of the four individuals reported missing from the sunken vessel Galatea, one Swiss national has been rescued and is currently being transported to Mahe Island for further medical evaluations and questioning.
This brings the total number of people rescued to 10. Two other Swiss nationals and a Seychellois are unaccounted for.
The individual who was rescued on Friday afternoon is reported to be in stable condition, despite experiencing sun exposure, elevated blood pressure, and mild hypothermia since the rescue.
Among the people rescued earlier yesterday, nine were on board a dinghy that reached Desroches Island.
Updates of the incident and rescue efforts were given during a press conference held this afternoon by the Ministry for Transport, Ports and Civil Aviation, the Seychelles Maritime Safety Authority (SMSA), Islands Development Company (IDC), Seychelles Defence Force (SDF), and the National Information Sharing Coordination Centre.
According to the latest information, seven people are back on Mahe, where they are receiving medical care.
"Despite still being in shock, the rescued individuals are in stable health. However, as a precautionary measure, it is essential to conduct the necessary medical evaluations to ensure their wellbeing before proceeding with the required questioning," said Christian Lionnet, Deputy chief executive of IDC.
For his part, Acting Commissioner of Police, Godfra Hermitte said the investigation and questioning are still continuing.
"The captain of the vessel remains in police custody. We await the arrival of three other rescued individuals who are scheduled to arrive on Mahe tonight, at which point we will take the necessary steps to continue our investigation," he remarked.
Galatea sunk in the early hours of Friday, while on a cruise off Marie-Louise Island.
Article: Kassey Govinden