U.S. Coast Guard Rescues 40 After Migrant Boat Capsizes, Recovering 2 Dead Off Puerto Rico
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 29
U.S. Coast Guard Rescues 40 After Migrant Boat Capsizes, Recovering 2 Dead Off Puerto Rico
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 29
Summary
At least 40 migrants were pulled from waters off Mona Island and two bodies were recovered after a makeshift boat capsized late Sunday, with search efforts still underway Monday evening.
Survivors told the Coast Guard about 60 people had been aboard when a machete fight severely injured some passengers and drove others to jump overboard without life vests.
A passing boater spotted survivors around noon Monday after they had spent more than 12 hours in the water, alerted authorities and helped rescue four people.
Officials have not identified the migrants' origin, but the Mona Passage between Hispaniola and Puerto Rico is a long-used, dangerous route for people fleeing poverty and violence.
The capsize adds to a string of deadly Caribbean crossings as Haiti's crisis deepens, with 1.5 million displaced and armed groups controlling about 70% of Port-au-Prince.