The RVIPF can confirm a report received regarding an incident on a barge near Pockwood Pond after 9 am today. Initial investigations suggest that a male entered a tank on the barge and lost consciousness. Two additional males entered to rescue him and also lost consciousness.All individuals have been recovered. Unfortunately, one person is deceased, and their identity remains unknown. Three others are conscious but experiencing respiratory difficulties. They have been transported to Dr. Orlando ...

Officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force executed a search warrant at a residence in Hannah’s Estate on Thursday 15th February 2024, as a result of ongoing investigations into several serious crimes in the Territory. During the search operation, one prohibited firearm and several rounds of ammunition were found.Shawn Morris Jr., 21, of Hannah’s Estate has been charged with Possession of a Prohibited Weapon and Possession of Explosives. He will appear before the Magistrate&rs...

Premier of the Virgin Islands, Honourable Dr. Natalio Wheatley will be attending the 74th Meeting of the OECS Authority in St. Kitts from February 14 to 15.The Premier’s attendance at these official meetings is to continue to promote the overall socio-economic and political interests of the Virgin Islands.Premier Wheatley stated, “As leader of Government business, I will seek to further engage in strategic discussions with our regional partners as we strive together towards a sustain...

The Ministry of Health and Social Development will be hosting a virtual workshop to improve the prescription of medication for the elderly.The “Safe Prescribing for the Elderly” workshop will be held on Thursday, February 29 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. via a virtual platform. The session is geared towards doctors, nurses, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and caregivers who wish to empower themselves with lifesaving information and improve care for the elder population.Chief of Drugs...

The Government of the Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands Airports Authority are monitoring progress on the long-awaited airport development and has awarded KPMG (BVI) Ltd the contract to undertake works on the project.Following a rigorous tendering process with eight (8) reputable companies, KPMG (BVI) emerged as the preferred bidder and will commence development works, with a timeline of completing the business case within the next three (3) months. This crucial phase aligns with the...

Crisis experts from the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) arrived in the Virgin Islands on Monday, February 5, to host a week of crisis response and disaster preparedness training.The Governor’s Office, Department of Disaster Management and other agencies took part in the series, which culminated in a four hour ‘semi-live’ crisis exercise with teams in London on Thursday morning. The scenario was a hurricane that impacted both Anguilla and the B...

Article quoted from the Miami Herald.  “After a Miami federal jury found ex-British Virgin Islands premier Andrew Fahie guilty of drug-trafficking conspiracy, two jurors had an issue. Minutes after 12 Miami federal jurors agreed to convict a former British Virgin Islands premier of a drug-trafficking conspiracy, two of them contacted the judge to tell her they really didn’t share the views of the other panelists and changed their minds about the defendant’s guilt...

The British Virgin Islands, a picturesque Territory surrounded by glistening blue waters, is facing a pressing issue that seems paradoxical at first glance - a severe water shortage. Despite being enveloped by the vast expanse of the Caribbean Sea, many residents have found themselves struggling with limited access to clean and reliable water. This distressing situation has particularly taken a toll on the eastern end of the island, with numerous complaints flooding in from exasperated locals.In...

We have been asking the Government since the arrest of a BVI Premier on foreign soil on 28th April 2022 to have a debate in the Honourable House to devise a mechanism in law or policy to avoid that history repeating itself.They have steadfastly refused.But they find time to do the things that allow them to live off the largess of the land.  They created legislation to fill their pockets and to hold the keys to the city so that, in death, their family fortunes are not diminished by the finan...

A FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR LOW LYING AND FLOOD PRONE AREAS OF THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS VALID UNTIL 12 MIDNIGHT TODAY WEDNESDAY. A FLASH FLOOD WARNING MEANS THAT MODERATE TO MAJOR FLOODING IS OCCURRING OR IMMINENT IN THE WARNING AREA. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. PERSONS IN LOW LYING OR FLOOD PRONE AREAS, SHOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS SWIFTLY FLOWING WATERS OR WATERS OF UNKNOWN DEPTH BY FOOT OR BY V...

An early morning letter issued to Teachers and Students from the Ministry of Education has called off public schools across the Territory for today, Wednesday 7th February due to deteriorating weather conditions in the Territory  “Due to the anticipated adverse weather conditions forecasted for today, Wednesday, 7th February 2024, the Department of Disaster Management has advised the closure of all public schools in the territory. This decision is to ensure the safety of our stud...

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FOR LOW LYING AND FLOOD PRONE AREAS OF THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS AND ANGUILLA UNTIL 8 P.M.TOMORROW. A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT MODERATE TO MAJOR FLOODING IS POSSIBLE BUT NOT IMMINENT IN THE WATCH AREA. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. RESIDENTS IN LOW LYING AND FLOOD PRONE AREAS SHOULD MAKE PREPARATIONS FOR FLOODING TO SAFE GUARD LIFE AND PROPERTY. THEY SHOULD BE PREPARED TO MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND IF FLOODING RAINS DEVELOP OR A FLASH FLOOD...

Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Kye M. Rymer says the Public Works Department has mobilised its Emergency Response Team and is inspecting ghuts and other waterways in a proactive approach to the impending weather later today.Honourable Rymer was responding to a weather alert issued by the Department of Disaster Management advising of a frontal trough, approaching the Territory.  The department has advised that showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected with potential ...

The Constitutional Review Commission Report was laid on the table during the Eighth Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly on Wednesday, 31st January, 2024.The comprehensive report, which is 288 pages, is divided into six chapters and eight appendices.  The Commission in its Terms of Reference was required to consider, among other things: the aspirations of the people of the Virgin Islands; how the executive ministerial government can be held to account in the HOA (e.g....

UK Minister for the Overseas Territories (OTs), David Rutley arrived in the Territory yesterday, Sunday 4 February for high level meetings with the sitting Government and other relevant stake holders.  “The Commission of Inquiry has identified serious governance and reputational issues, but progress on implementing its recommendations has been too slow, with agreed deadlines missed. That is why I am here: to listen and understand from those working directly on the reforms how the...

The opportunity presented itself under the name, Daniel Pruce.  The Fourth Estate categorized him as the 15th Governor of the Virgin Islands.  And when, on Monday, 29th January, HE the Ag. Governor, Mr. David Archer and Dr Allison Flax-Archer celebrated the appointment, HE, Governor Daniel Pruce, accompanied by his wife, Ms. Rachael Morgan, took his seat at Government House as His Majesty’s Representative in the Territory of the Virgin Islands.It seems unfair to King Edward ...

The BVI Community has been thrown into unexpected mourning once more with the sudden and tragic deaths of two young men. The males who were involved in the fatal accident which occurred on Tuesday afternoon January 30th at the bottom of Joes Hill have been identified as 32-year-old Henderson Legair and 23-year- old Kenroy Joseph. Joseph was taken by ambulance to Dr. Orlando Smith Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, while Legair was pronounced dead at the scene.Details surroun...

The eyes of global media, particularly in the neighboring US Virgin Islands, have been fixed on the unfolding case of Andrew A. Fahie, who was arrested in April of the previous year. The trial, which has drawn significant attention, has sparked interest and concern due to its potential impact on the reputation of the British Virgin Islands.On January 29, 2024, prosecutors in a Miami federal court presented their case against Fahie, alleging that he conspired to traffic cocaine from South America...

The Virgin Islands Festivals and Fairs Committee (VIFFC) has long been a cornerstone of the cultural and economic landscape of the British Virgin Islands. However, recent developments have raised concerns about the future of this iconic institution, as its ticket booth sits occupied amid speculation about its fate.As the 70th Anniversary of Festivals approaches, the question arises: is the occupation of the VIFFC ticket booth a strategic move to raise funds for the milestone celebration, or does...

Governor Designate Mr Daniel Pruce arrived in the Territory this evening, 26th January, with his wife Ms Rachael Morgan.  Mr Pruce will be sworn in as the Governor of the British Virgin Islands on Monday, 29th January.Mr Pruce said “I’m delighted to have arrived in BVI.  Rachael and I were very grateful for the warm welcome at the airport.  I look forward to being sworn in as Governor on Monday.  It will be a privilege to serve the people of the islands and t...