Eighty-four Haitian migrants on a 42-foot vessel apprehended in TCI waters last year (Coast Guard Photo)
By Caribbean News Now contributor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) police confirmed on Sunday that at least 14 people are dead after a twin-engine outboard boat smuggling Haitian migrants to the TCI capsized in shark-infested waters off the coast of the uninhabited island of West Caicos, in the British overseas territory.
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) marine branch were alerted after 8 am on Sunday that a boat smuggling undocumented migrants from Haiti had capsized and was in distress.
Special Constable Takara Bain, a representative with the RTCIPF, said an investigation and search was launched immediately, which extended into Sunday afternoon with 14 persons rescued and 14 bodies recovered from the water.
The acting police commissioner Trevor Botting speaking with local media stated: “At this stage, it is unclear as to the total souls on board the vessel. Officers of the Marine Branch along with Immigration Officials and divers are assisting in a search for additional survivors or victims. This is a tragic loss of life; we offer our condolences and sympathies to the families of those affected by this terrible incident. No journey is worth risking lives on the dangerous seas in these small vessels.”
