Friday, July 29, 2022, the Coast Guard ship Joseph Napier (WPC-1115) completed the transport of 68 Haitian survivors to Mayaguez (Puerto Rico), which had been abandoned off the island of Mona by smugglers Thursday July 28 in the morning https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-37267-haiti-flash-illegal-haitian-migrants-found-dead-off-puerto-rico.html

The survivors were met by Border Patrol officers from the Ramey sector and Customs and Border Protection field operations officers in Mayaguez. Pending their repatriation to Haiti.

The maritime units of the Puerto Rico Police Joint Rapid Action Forces also transported the lifeless bodies of 5 people who died at sea who were traveling with the survivors and who perished while trying to reach shore.

"While we are glad for the 68 survivors, we cannot lose sight of the fact that five lives were lost as a result of smugglers abandoning these people offshore in the dangerous waters that surround Mona Island," said said Captain Jose Diaz, Sector Commander San Juan.

"Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of those who passed during this tragic incident.

To anyone thinking of taking part in an illegal voyage, we urge you to not to take to the sea! Makeshift, unseaworthy vessels often grossly overloaded and unstable with no lifesaving equipment onboard, changing sea-state conditions, hypothermia, dehydration and drowning are just some of the dangers migrants face in this voyages."

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-37267-haiti-flash-illegal-haitian-migrants-found-dead-off-puerto-rico.html

IH/ iciHaiti