Contrary to what had been predicted, today?s newspapers report on the rescue of more than 30 survivors from the small boat that left with 80 travelers bound for Puerto Rico. The boat was spotted near the Poza de Bojolo off the North Coast of the Samana Peninsula, near the city of Nagua. El Caribe says that 33 people were rescued, while Hoy reports 39 survivors. All of those rescued were seriously dehydrated and in need of emergency attention at the hospitals and private clinics of Nagua, San Francisco de Macoris and Santiago de los Caballeros. One survivor reportedly died while being treated at the hospital in San Francisco de Macoris. And, according to the Diario Libre, four more have died due to their exposure to the sun and dehydration. According to Hoy, one of the survivors, Maribel Gil, told reporters there were only 78 people traveling aboard the boat, not the 80 that has been reported in most of the media.
Of the 38 travelers still unaccounted for, several purportedly died during the voyage and were thrown overboard, while others, terrified, tired and hungry, tried to swim ashore. Ten of the swimmers made it to dry land, according to Civil Defense spokesperson in Nagua, Minerva Santos.
The group was located at the mouth of the Gran Estero, the waterway that divides the peninsula from the mainland. Of the 29 found on the boat, one was dead, a teacher named Ligia Santana.
Santos said the survivors were first spotted by two divers, Dormang Antonio Florimon and Ambiorix Bonilla, who were fishing in the area and guided the group to the shore. The divers then reported their sighting to the Dominican Navy.
There is some confusion as to why the tragedy occurred. Hoy has reported that the motor fell off the craft, causing two of the boards to be torn off and setting the boat to drift.
In the Diario Libre, the boat was reported to have been found with the motor still attached, however. The voyagers? nightmare began near the Isla Desecheo, a waterless and deserted island near the coast of Puerto Rico, used by illegal boats as a point of reference. Diario Libre reports that after almost having made it to Puerto Rico, the boat turned around and headed back to the original point of embarkation on the northeast coast of the DR.