News stories bring confusing reports on how many persons died over the weekend attempting to reach Puerto Rican shores by boat. The Listín Diario reports three ships left from Miches and Sabana de la Mar, on the eastern coast, one with 40, another with 46 and another with 63 travelers. The boat with 63 travelers made it to Puerto Rico. But nine cadavers have been found of the other two, 35 survivors were rescued and treated at Higuey hospitals, and the others are missing. El Siglo newspaper reports that of 71 travelers on board a boat that left from Miches, 12 cadavers have been found, 32 persons are missing and the others rescued. The Weather Department had alerted small ships from departing port due to the choppy seas and strong winds that affected the country over the weekend. The travelers were said to have paid from RD$5,000 to RD$12,000 for the crossing. Most were natives of small towns in northeastern Duarte province.
