Coast Guard Searches for Passengers From Capsized Boat Near Puerto Rico
The U.S. Coast Guard has ended its search for 10 people missing after a migrant vessel carrying 62 passengers capsized near Mona Island. At least 49 people were rescued from the water, while reports on the death toll vary between two and three recovered bodies. The vessel overturned late Sunday night, approximately 10 miles off the uninhabited island west of Puerto Rico, after a machete attack by a passenger sparked panic and forced people into the sea.
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- ✓ A migrant boat carrying 62 people capsized near Mona Island west of Puerto Rico.
- ✓ The U.S. Coast Guard rescued 49 people from the water.
- ✓ A machete fight or attack on board caused panic and led to the vessel capsizing.
- ✓ The boat overturned late Sunday night about 10 miles off Mona Island.
What changed
The U.S. Coast Guard officially suspended the search for the 10 remaining missing passengers.
Live updates
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Coast Guard suspends search for missing migrants after boat capsizes near Puerto Rico
The U.S. Coast Guard has ended its search for 10 people missing after a migrant vessel carrying 62 passengers capsized near Mona Island. At least 49 people were rescued from the water, while reports on the death toll vary between two and three recovered bodies. The vessel overturned late Sunday night, approximately 10 miles off the uninhabited island west of Puerto Rico, after a machete attack by a passenger sparked panic and forced people into the sea.
Why it matters
Mona Island sits between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic and is a frequent waypoint for migrants. This incident highlights the dangers of overloaded makeshift vessels used for irregular migration in the Caribbean.
What is confirmed
- A migrant boat carrying 62 people capsized near Mona Island west of Puerto Rico.
- The U.S. Coast Guard rescued 49 people from the water.
- A machete fight or attack on board caused panic and led to the vessel capsizing.
- The boat overturned late Sunday night about 10 miles off Mona Island.
- The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended the search for 10 missing people.
- At least two people died in the incident.
Still unconfirmed
- Three bodies have been recovered since the boat overturned.
- Two of the people on board were Haitian migrants.
What to watch next
- Official confirmation of the final death toll.
- Legal proceedings or charges against the passenger who initiated the machete attack.
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (21)
- ny1.com — ICE arrests operator of boat that fatally capsized in New York Harbor
- The New York Times — Coast Guard Searches for Passengers From Capsized Boat Near Puerto Rico
- abcnews.com — 3 dead, 10 missing after makeshift vessel capsizes near Puerto Rican island: USCG
- Yahoo — 40 people rescued and several missing after boat capsizes in waters west of Puerto Rico
- mysuncoast.com — Coast Guard rescues 40 after machete fight breaks out on boat
- AP News — More survivors and victims found after boat carrying 62 capsizes near Puerto Rico
- United States Coast Guard News (.mil) — Coast Guard, partner agencies recover 2 deceased, rescue 40 off Mona Island; search continues
- foxnews.com — At least 40 rescued, 2 dead as boat capsizes after machete fight near Puerto Rico
- KOMO — Machete attack sparks panic as migrant boat capsizes near Puerto Rico, 10 still missing
- www.ibtimes.co.uk — Machete Fight Sends Crowded Boat Into Sea Near Puerto Rico, Two Dead and Several Missing | IBTimes UK
- nypost.com — 2 dead, 40 rescued, several missing after boat capsizes near ...
- haitiantimes.com — Coast Guard searches for survivors after migrant boat ...
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