Search and rescue operations resumed at first light on Monday as St Lucia authorities continued efforts to locate two people who remain missing following a fatal marine collision off Anse Cochon.

At approximately 6:00 am, officers from the Police Marine Unit began searching the waters around Anse Cochon and surrounding areas.

The search covered an area extending approximately two nautical miles west of Anse Cochon, south to Canaries Bay and north to Anse La Raye.

Despite the extensive operation, authorities reported no sightings of the two missing individuals.

The collision, which occurred shortly before midnight on Saturday, involved the vessel Ocean Angel and the pirogue Mango Tours. 

The incident left two women dead, 14 people injured and two others missing.

Police identified the deceased as 21-year-old Mhakeida Nestor of La Fargue, Choiseul, and 25-year-old Debbie Dolor of Market Road, Soufrière.

According to preliminary investigations, Mango Tours was travelling south while Ocean Angel was heading north when the two vessels collided near Anse Cochon. Following the impact, Mango Tours sank, while Ocean Angel sustained damage.

The injured were taken for medical treatment, while emergency responders continued search and rescue operations in an effort to locate the two people still unaccounted for.

Investigations into the cause of the collision are ongoing.