Boat Capsizes Near Puerto Rico: 2 Dead, Over 40 Rescued; Dozens Still Missing

Puerto Rico: An unauthorised boat full of migrants met with an accident and capsized in the sea on Monday near the western coast of Puerto Rico. The US Coast Guard has so far evacuated at least 40 people safely by conducting an immediate operation, while the bodies of two people have been recovered. It has come to light that about 60 people were on board the boat, hence there is a possibility that many people are still missing. Relief and rescue operations continued till late evening.

After all, how did the boat full of migrants capsize in the sea?

According to the US Coast Guard, the accident occurred late Sunday night. There was a dispute over some issue among the people in the boat. Within no time the matter turned into violence and information came to light that some passengers were attacked with sharp weapons like machete.

There was chaos in the boat after the attack. To save their lives, many people jumped into the sea without life jackets. During this time the boat lost its balance and overturned.

How were 40 people saved and how many are missing?

After the accident, the US Coast Guard started a large-scale search and rescue operation. At least 40 people have been evacuated safely so far, while bodies of two people have been recovered.

According to the survivors, there were about 60 people on board the boat. On this basis, many other passengers are suspected to be missing. Officials are continuously conducting search operations in the areas around the sea.

Were the migrants stranded in the sea for 12 hours?

Some passengers who survived the accident said they were stranded at sea for more than 12 hours. On Monday afternoon, passengers of a boat passing near Mona Island noticed people trapped in the water.

The concerned authorities were immediately informed about the boat. After this, the rescue team reached the spot and started the operation to rescue people from the water. According to initial information, four people were pulled out of the sea with the help of the same boat.

The people in the boat were citizens of which country?

At present it is not clear as to which countries the migrants in the boat that met with the accident were citizens of. The US Coast Guard has said that information is being collected in this regard.
The focus of the authorities is currently on searching for people stranded or missing at sea and taking survivors to safety.

Why do people risk their lives to cross Mona Passage?

People from the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean region, which includes Haiti and the Dominican Republic, try to cross the often dangerous sea route to Puerto Rico and surrounding islands in search of a better and safer life.

The sea route of Mona Passage is considered very challenging. Many people on this route use small and unsafe boats carrying more passengers than their capacity. Due to this, people have already lost their lives in maritime accidents.

What is the situation of violence and displacement in Haiti?

Haiti has long struggled with severe violence and the activities of armed gangs. According to UN data, between January and June this year, more than 3,050 people died and about 1.5 million were displaced.

Large parts of the capital, Port-au-Prince, remain under the influence of armed gangs. In such circumstances, a large number of people try to leave the country in search of safer areas and a better life, due to which the risk of traveling through dangerous sea routes also increases.