PAM Pays Tribute to the Victims of the MVChristena Tragedy

The People’s Action Movement (PAM) today
honoured the memory of the 233 men, women and children who lost their lives in the tragic sinking of the MV Christena on August 1, 1970—the worst maritime disaster in the history of the Eastern Caribbean. The day of remembrance began at the MV Christena Monument behind the Old Treasury Building in Basseterre, where executive members, candidates and supporters gathered for a solemn wreath-laying ceremony to pay tribute to those who perished and to remember the families whose lives were forever changed by the tragedy.

The ceremony opened with a prayer led by the Party’s Public Relations Officer, Laverne Caines, after which Deputy Political Leader Azard Gumbs laid the first wreath. Deputy Political Leader-elect and Constituency #2 candidate, Nubian Greaux, laid the second wreath.  Delivering brief remarks, Acting Chair Carlene Henry-Morton reminded those gathered that the MV Christena tragedy remains a defining moment in the history of St. Kitts and Nevis and that the memories of those who lost their lives must never fade. She emphasized that national remembrance is an important part of preserving the country’s history and ensuring that future generations understand the significance of the events that shaped the Federation.

Following the ceremony in St. Kitts, the PAM delegation travelled to Nevis to participate in the Nevis Island Administration’s annual
remembrance ceremony at the Charlestown Waterfront Memorial. During that ceremony, Hon. Dr. Shawn Richards, Parliamentary Representative for Constituency #5, laid a wreath on behalf of the Party, while Nubian Greaux placed a second wreath at the base of the memorial in honour of the 233 victims. The People’s Action Movement announced that today’s observance marks the beginning of what will become an annual tradition for the Party.

Through this initiative, PAM reaffirms its
commitment to honoring the memory of those who lost their lives aboard the MV Christena and to ensuring that this important chapter in the nation’s history is remembered with dignity, respect and reverence.

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