A United States Coast Guard patrol intercepted approximately 50 kilometers southwest of the Turks and Caicos Islands, an overcrowded drifting vessel of about 12 meters, carrying 84 illegal Haitian migrants who had not no lifejacket or other safety equipment on board, "said Commander Randall Chong in a statement.

Haitians were given food, water and medical assistance on board a Coast Guard vessel before being sent back to Haiti.

According to the Coast Guard, 2,488 Haitians attempted to reach US shores during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. Since October 1,132 Haitians have been intercepted in the Strait of Florida, in the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

IH/ iciHaiti