GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands – Premier Hon. G. Wayne Panton has released the following statement regarding the devastating fire on the cay of Bonacca in the Bay Islands, Honduras.

“Good afternoon,

“It has been heart-breaking to see the videos and images this morning of the devastating and wide-spread fire that ravaged the cay of Bonacca off the coast of Guanaja in the Bay Islands, Honduras.

“Caymanians maintain close kinship and strong cultural links with the Bay Islands as many Bay Islanders and Caymanians share a common heritage and multiple family ties. Many of our friends and relatives in Bonacca have watched as fire destroyed their homes and earthly possessions, disrupting their peaceful and close-knit community.

“On behalf of the Government and people of the Cayman Islands, I wish to extend my heartfelt sympathies to all those who have been impacted by this morning’s fire.  

“I also wish to assure all those directly or indirectly affected by this fire that the people of the Cayman Islands stand ready to offer our support and assistance as they come to terms with the destruction and seek to rebuild their community.

“As the Cayman Islands community is known to do, it has sprung into action via churches, service clubs, businesses and individuals to collect aid for those affected. 

“On behalf of the Government, I pledge to assist the people of Bonacca and one of our first steps will be to organise a cargo flight by Cayman Airways to transport supplies and donations collected for the people of Bonacca to Juan Manuel Galvez International Airport in Roatan. We will announce further details on this very soon.

“Let us continue to pray for the people of Bonacca in their time of need and stand ready to support them as they recover.”