The lure of United States territory so close to the Dominican Republic claimed another two lives, and possibly more, as a home-built small boat holding as many as 45 persons trying to reach the neighboring island capsized just off the coast of Puerto Rico.
According to the Dominican consul in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Cesar Cedeño, two Dominicans lost their lives, and at least 32 were rescued from the grossly overloaded 25-foot makeshift vessel, just about two miles offshore by units of the United States Coast Guard.
Personnel from the Dominican Consulate visited the survivors, including at least three women, one of whom is pregnant, as they received treatment in local hospitals. A search for more survivors continued, but no more reports of survivors have been forthcoming from the authorities.
US Coast Guard watchstanders directed the launch of a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Borinquen, diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Dependable and notified Dominican authorities that responded with Dominican Republic Navy patrol vessels Capella and Bellatrix and a Dominican Republic Air Force aircraft.
US Coast Guard and Dominican Republic air and surface crews rescued 33 migrants from a disabled vessel, approximately 20 nautical miles northeast of Macao, Dominican Republic,
As reported, at approximately 10:23am on Wednesday, the Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter located a grossly overloaded 25-foot makeshift vessel with the people onboard waving their arms for assistance. The US Coast Guard aircrew deployed their rescue swimmer who confirmed the well-being of all the vessel passengers and that they were all wearing life jackets. Shortly thereafter, a Dominican Republic Navy vessel arrived on scene and safely embarked the migrants, who were returned to the Dominican Republic.
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US Coast Guard
Listin Diario
El Caribe
5 February 2024