Emergency repair work is under way on the St. John’s Harbour boardwalk after a section collapsed earlier this week between Redcliffe Quay and Heritage Quay during a busy cruise day, when more than 12,000 visitors were on the island. Reports indicate at least two tourists were injured after falling into the water.

Port Manager Darwin Telemaque said engineers and maintenance crews were deployed immediately to stabilize the structure, which failed after heavy crowding in an area not designed for water taxi loading or concentrated passenger traffic.

The damaged section has since been reinforced as a temporary measure, allowing part of the boardwalk to reopen for pedestrian use only during the peak cruise season.

Telemaque said the Antigua Port Authority has assumed full responsibility for the boardwalk, which was previously managed by Quay Properties, and is fast-tracking a comprehensive inspection and redesign to prevent a recurrence.