A boat loaded with passengers capsized north of an uninhabited island near Puerto Rico. Eleven people had been confirmed dead while 31 others were rescued. U.S. Coast Guard spokesman Ricardo Castrodad said a 'mass rescue effort' was still underway.
The boat was spotted more than 11 miles north of the uninhabited island of Desecheo, which is off Puerto Rico's west coast.
"These voyages are dangerous," Castrodad said."They're unsafe, they are grossly overloaded ... no lifesaving equipment. It wouldn't really take much for any of these vessels to capsize." Since then, trips of human smuggling boats have only increased, authorities say. In January, the Coast Guard searched for at least 38 people missing off Florida's coast after a suspected human smuggling boat that had left the Bahamas capsized in a storm. A sole survivor was reported.Haiti is struggling with a surge in gang-related violence that has killed dozens of people, including women and children, and caused thousands of families to flee their homes.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
11 Dead, 31 Rescued After Boat Capsizes Near Puerto RicoA boat loaded with suspected migrants capsized north of an uninhabited island near Puerto Rico and 11 people had been confirmed dead while 31 others were rescued Thursday, authorities said.
Read more »
11 dead, 31 rescued as suspected migrant boat capsizes near Puerto RicoEight Haitians were among those saved and hospitalized during a “mass rescue effort” led by the US Coast Guard.
Read more »
At least 11 dead after suspected migrant boat capsizes near Puerto RicoNEW YORK — (NEW YORK) -- At least 11 people are dead and dozens were rescued after a boat capsized Thursday off the coast of Puerto Rico, officials said.
Read more »
Deaths as boat capsizes off Puerto RicoAt least 11 people drown and 31 are rescued after boat sinks off Puerto Rico, says US Coast Guard, in suspected sea transportation of 'illegal migrants'
Read more »
11 dead, dozens rescued after migrant boat capsizes near Puerto Rico, Coast Guard saysAt least 11 people are dead and dozens of others were rescued after a makeshift boat believed to carry migrants capsized near Puerto Rico Thursday, the U.S. Coast Guard said.
Read more »