At Least 17 Dead In Turks & Caicos Boat Incident
[Updated] Christmas Day started off with a tragedy in the Turks & Caicos Islands, with at least 18 people dying when a boat capsized at around 5am.
The boat was believed to be carrying what the TCI Government called “suspected illegal immigrants.” The AP has reported that they were Haitian migrants.
A statement from the TCI Government said, “Turks and Caicos Islands emergency services are responding to an incident at Providenciales this morning, Wednesday, 25 December 2013.
“A sloop believed to be carrying suspected illegal immigrants was intercepted by the Marine Branch of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force [RTCIPF] at 3.21am.
“The vessel capsized as it was being towed into dock by the RTCIPF to offload the suspects at South Dock at 5.17am.
“Thirty two people have been confirmed as having been rescued from the water and who are now in custody at the TCI Government’s Five Cays immigration detention/removal Centre.
“The RTCIPF have recovered 18 bodies, two from the initial incident and a further 16 with the assistance of divers. The search efforts are expanding in the area to locate any additional bodies.
“A US Coast Guard helicopter has been scrambled to assist the TCI authorities in locating any additional bodies.
“Police are still searching for the handful of people who reached shore and fled the scene, and their investigations into the incident continue.”
Update 7.27pm: TCI officials now put the death toll at 17. Colin Farquhar, Commissioner, Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force said: “The search for additional casualties following this morning’s incident has concluded for today due to worsening light conditions and sea state. A scaled down search will begin again tomorrow, but no further casualties are anticipated.
“I can confirm that 33 people were detained as suspected illegal Haitian immigrants. This group consisted of 21 males, including one child, and 12 females. These people will be repatriated to Haiti at the earliest opportunity.
““There is actually one fewer casualty then was reported earlier with 17 confirmed fatalities. This group consists of 12 male and five female adults. The remains will also be repatriated following post mortems (autopsies) to establish the cause of death.”
Read More About
Category: Accidents and fires, All
its very sad that Haitians are trying to get to a better life somewhere and are constantly being sent back or die in the processs.. why do countries take in other foreigners but not the Haitians? They have been through so much as a country..I hope doors will start opening up for these people whos home is the earth!They are the only group of people that have fully paid back what was forced on them to pay that LREADY BELONGED TO THEM ANYWAY!this world is not balanced at all!hopefully the children of this earth will change their ways soon or the consequences for them will be dire.