Costa Maya, Q.R. — Police in Belize and Mexico have begun a search operation for three Mexican fishermen who escaped from a Belize quarantine centre.
The three fishermen, who are from the town of Xcalac just south of Mahahual, were detained by Belize authorities last week for entering Belizean territory. The trio accidentally entered the neighboring territory while fishing and were found without mouth masks or any of the necessary sanitary measures.
They were detained by Belize Coast Guard officers and placed in a quarantine centre in the town of Corozal where they had remained since Thursday. However, Belize authorities report the trio escaped.
As of Tuesday, authorities say Gabriel V., Noel G.A. and Arturo P.C. left the quarantine centre where they were being held until test results were determined. In accordance with the provisions established by the Belizean government, when found, the three will be turned over to the court for the disclaimer of responsibility, since it is still prohibited to enter or leave the country due to the coronavirus epidemic.
Belize authorities have reported that the fishermen are suspected carriers of coronavirus and put inhabitants of both Belize and Mexico at risk. Mexican authorities were alerted in the event they try to return to Xcalac.
