Premier Pat Binns and Gail Shea, Minister Responsible for the Emergency Measures Organization, expressed their deepest regret and sorrow today in relation to the tragic incidents in the United States.
"We would like to express our sorrow to the people of the United States as they deal with this tremendous tragedy," says Premier Binns. "We also want to ensure visitors to Prince Edward Island from the US that we will make every attempt to assist them at this time."
To assist visitors from the US in obtaining information on family and friends in the areas affected by the attacks, Visitor Information Centres across the province will be open until 10 p.m. this evening to allow visitors to access telephones and Internet for more information. A list of VIC locations is attached.
Speaking from the Emergency Measures Office, Minister Shea said, "Staff of the Emergency Measures Organization are on standby and are working closely with the federal Office of Critical Infrastructure Protection and Emergency Preparedness."
The PEI Emergency Measures Organization has been in contact with the Red Cross on PEI who is on standby. Individuals are asked to contact the Red Cross at 628-6262 for information on friends and relatives in the US.
The Office of Critical Infrastructure Protection and Emergency Measures has been in contact with the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, Public Works, the Coast Guard and the Airport Authority, all of whom are continuing to monitor the situation in the United States.
Individuals are asked to limit cell phone calls to the US to emergency situations only, due to overloading of cellular sites. American Airlines have also set up a phone number for inquiries regarding passengers which is 617-568-5100.