A high-profile gang shooting that killed two Curacao citizens and wounded six German tourists at Curacao’s Hato International Airport last week could hurt the country’s tourism industry, its leaders fear.
The July 15 drive-by shooting occurred at the arrivals area of the airport’s main terminal shortly after an Air Berlin flight had landed, according to the newspaper Netherland Times.
Two handguns were recovered at the scene, but the shooters are still at large. Curacao Prime Minister Ivar Asjes called the shooting an “isolated incident.”
“This incident was between local residents,” he said in a statement. “Curacao is deeply saddened by what took place last night, and officials are in full cooperation with local authorities as they continue their investigation.”
The Curacao economy depends heavily on oil refining, financial services, and, most prominently, tourism.
See the July 24, 2014 edition for full coverage.
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