The U.S. Coast Guard is conducting ongoing rescue operations in open waters west of Puerto Rico after a makeshift boat capsized several miles from the uninhabited Mona Island. Authorities reported that at least 40 people have been rescued, while two individuals were confirmed dead.
The incident, which remains under investigation, reportedly occurred late Sunday. According to the Coast Guard, survivors indicated that approximately 60 people were on board the vessel. The group was forced into the water without life vests following an onboard altercation involving a machete, which resulted in severe injuries to some passengers.
The survivors remained in the water for more than 12 hours before being spotted around noon on Monday by a passing boat near Mona Island. This vessel alerted authorities, facilitating the immediate rescue of four people. As of Monday evening, rescue efforts remained active to locate those still missing.
A U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson stated that information regarding the origin of the passengers was not immediately available. The Mona Passage is a known route for migrants fleeing violence and poverty in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, often traveling in dangerous, overloaded vessels.
The region has seen previous tragedies; in June 2022, 11 Haitian women and girls died when their boat capsized northwest of Puerto Rico. Recent data from the United Nations highlights the ongoing crisis in Haiti, where gang violence has displaced 1.5 million people and resulted in over 3,050 deaths between January and June. Armed groups currently maintain control over an estimated 70% of Port-au-Prince and significant portions of Haiti’s central regions.
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Md. Kazi Bijoy is a dedicated tech enthusiast and content creator with a passion for digital innovation. With years of experience in the tech industry, he specializes in breaking down complex topics into easy-to-understand guides. When he isn’t writing, he explores the latest gadgets and researches emerging trends in the digital world.