Update # 11 Tourist Ship Sinks in Bahrain

The following press release was posted by WS Atkins on their website. It confirms the tragic loss of 9 of its people following the boat disaster in Bahrain on Thursday night.

The nine comprise six members of staff and three relatives/friends, with a further relative/friend missing, presumed dead. A further three Atkins people survived the incident. At this stage, Atkins is able to confirm the details of eight of those who died:

Andrew Debrunner
Resident Engineer
Basanth Kumar
Senior Site Electrical Engineer
Carl Ottewell
Construction Supervisor
Jason James Brett
Assistant Project Manager
Lucinda Lamb
Wife of Jason Brett
Sameer Thorat
Resident Architect
Sandy Belch (Nee Seeger)
Wife of Scott Belch
Scott Belch
Assistant Resident Engineer

Keith Clarke, Atkins' CEO, is among senior members of staff who are in Bahrain to support the families and loved ones of those who died. He says: "The past 48 hours have been incredibly difficult for everybody within Atkins and we are still trying to come to terms with what has happened.

"The nature of our business means the victims of this tragedy have worked closely with and are known by many across the world. As a result, the number of messages of support and condolence received has been truly staggering and a real comfort to those most affected. We are doing all we can to ensure the bereaved receive as much support as possible and this will continue indefinitely."

A book of condolence will be placed at the site office in Bahrain, with further copies to be placed at Atkins' offices around the world. Atkins kindly asks members of the media to respect privacy of those affected by the disaster while they grieve.