Highlights
- At the least 17 our bodies have been recovered after a ship carrying Haitian migrants capsized within the Bahamas.
- The Bahamian authorities have rescued 25 individuals to date.
- A felony investigation begun into the suspected human smuggling operation.
Boat capsizes within the Bahamas: At the least 17 our bodies have been recovered after a ship carrying Haitian migrants capsized within the Bahamas on Sunday. The Bahamian authorities have rescued 25 individuals to date, and it wasn’t clear if there have been any individuals lacking after the boat sank about seven miles from New Windfall, reported the information company AP.
In accordance with an announcement issued by Prime Minister Philip Courageous Davis, the useless included 15 ladies, one man and an toddler. He mentioned the individuals rescued have been taken for statement by well being staff. Davis mentioned a felony investigation had begun into the suspected human smuggling operation. He prolonged his condolences to the households of those that misplaced their lives on this tragedy. He mentioned, “My authorities, from the time it got here to workplace, has warned towards these treacherous voyages.”
Investigators had decided {that a} twin-engine velocity boat left the Bahamas about 1 a.m. carrying as many as 60 individuals, apparently sure for Miami. Governments within the area, together with the USA, have reported a surge within the variety of Haitians detained attempting to enter different international locations.
Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry mentioned he sympathized with the dad and mom of the victims. “This new drama saddens the entire nation,” he mentioned. “I launch, as soon as once more, an attraction for nationwide reconciliation with the intention to resolve the issues which can be driving away, removed from our soil, our brothers, our sisters, our youngsters.”
A yr after the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse final July, gang violence has grown worse and Haiti has gone right into a freefall that has seen the economic system tumble. Makes an attempt to kind a coalition authorities have faltered, and efforts to carry basic elections have stalled. The turmoil has led many individuals to flee the nation of greater than 11 million in quest of a greater and safer life.
A number of sinkings involving migrants have occurred within the Caribbean this yr, together with one in Could by which 11 individuals have been confirmed useless and 38 have been saved off Puerto Rico. One other incident in January noticed one man rescued and one other confirmed useless after a ship carrying 40 migrants went down off Florida, with the lacking by no means discovered.
(With inputs from AP)