Eleven dead after Haitian migrant vessel capsizes near Puerto Rico

Reuters

MIAMI -At least 11 people drowned when a vessel carrying Haitian migrants capsized near Puerto Rico, the U.S. Coast Guard said on Thursday, amid a steady increase in migrants attempting reach U.S. shores in dangerous marine voyages.

The vessel, which was carrying “an undetermined number of people,” was spotted 10 nautical miles north of Desecheo Island, Puerto Rico. As of 6 p.m., 11 deceased and 31 survivors had been found, the Coast Guard said on Twitter.

“There’s a fast response Cutter from Sector San Juan that’s on scene, and Coast Guard helicopters from air station Borinquen are still searching and flying tonight,” a Coast Guard spokesperson told Reuters.

Related News:   ’60 Minutes’ Failed To Disclose ‘Misinformation’ Researcher Got Millions In Gov’t Grants, Donated To Biden

The survivors have been taken to Puerto Rico, with eight of them being treated at a local hospital, said Jeffrey Quinones, Public Affairs Officer for U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Puerto and the Virgin Islands.


Migrants, particularly from Haiti, have in recent months been attempting to escape gang violence and poverty through dangerous voyages on unseaworthy vessels.


(Reporting by Brian Ellsworth; Editing by Sandra Maler)

tagreuters.com2022binary_LYNXNPEI4C00K-BASEIMAGE

tagreuters.com2022binary_LYNXNPEI4C00L-BASEIMAGE

tagreuters.com2022binary_LYNXNPEI4C00M-BASEIMAGE

You appear to be using an ad blocker

Shore News Network is a free website that does not use paywalls or charge for access to original, breaking news content. In order to provide this free service, we rely on advertisements. Please support our journalism by disabling your ad blocker for this website.