On Monday, 8 July 2019, nine people drowned (eight Haitians and one Dominican), when a car they were traveling in, a Toyota Camry, fell into the Ulises Francisco Espaillat irrigation canal, in the community of Barrero, in the municipality of Navarrete, Santiago province. Those who died were three women and six men. There were five people injured and two of them were taken to hospital in Santiago.
The bodies were recovered from the canal, but have not yet been identified. An investigation is ongoing to determine how the tragedy occurred. As reported, it is usual that a large number of illegal Haitians be transported in sedan cars, many hidden in the truck to avoid immigration checks. As reported, the vehicle was evading military patrols in the area to prevent people-smuggling through Dajabón.
Apparently, there were 17 people in the car, including the nine who died, five who are injured and three who fled the scene. Preliminary reports say the driver was Dominican and the passengers were undocumented Haitians.
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Listin Diario
9 July 2019