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Rescue operation as boat with Haitian migrants capsizes | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A rescue operation is under way in the Bahamas, after a 12m (40ft) vessel carrying Haitian migrants ran aground and capsized. | A rescue operation is under way in the Bahamas, after a 12m (40ft) vessel carrying Haitian migrants ran aground and capsized. |
The US Coast Guard said about 100 migrants were clinging to the hull of the overturned boat. | The US Coast Guard said about 100 migrants were clinging to the hull of the overturned boat. |
Up to 30 people may have died in the accident which occurred on Monday near Staniel Cay, a Bahamas official said. | |
Haitian migrants often head to the Bahamas or pass by on their way to the United States. | Haitian migrants often head to the Bahamas or pass by on their way to the United States. |
The US Coast Guard and the Royal Bahamian Defense Force were at the scene. | The US Coast Guard and the Royal Bahamian Defense Force were at the scene. |
A spokesman in Miami said the rescuers had dropped life rafts, food and supplies to the survivors. | A spokesman in Miami said the rescuers had dropped life rafts, food and supplies to the survivors. |
Thirteen Haitians survivors were rescued by helicopter, he said. | Thirteen Haitians survivors were rescued by helicopter, he said. |
It is not clear whether the migrants were heading to the Bahamans or if their final destination was the US. | It is not clear whether the migrants were heading to the Bahamans or if their final destination was the US. |
Fatal accidents at sea involving migrants from Haiti, the Western hemisphere's poorest nation, are not uncommon. | Fatal accidents at sea involving migrants from Haiti, the Western hemisphere's poorest nation, are not uncommon. |
In December 2011, 38 migrants were found dead after their boat sank just off the eastern tip of Cuba. | In December 2011, 38 migrants were found dead after their boat sank just off the eastern tip of Cuba. |
And in 2009, US Coast Guard officials called off their search for about 70 migrants from Haiti whose boat capsized off the Turks and Caicos Islands. | And in 2009, US Coast Guard officials called off their search for about 70 migrants from Haiti whose boat capsized off the Turks and Caicos Islands. |
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