In a dramatic twist exposing the risky business of illegal crossings in the Caribbean, four migrants have died and around 20 are reported missing after their boat capsized off the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, according to confirmed reports on Friday.
A boat that had an estimated 40 people on board was heading to Puerto Rico, a territory in the U.S, that was overturned by rough waters. A total of seventeen individuals were saved, i.e., ten Dominicans and seven Haitians. The Dominican Republic’s civil defense authority and navy said that among those who survived was a child.
The ship that had been interfered with during the incident was a so-called yola – a small boat where illegal migration is frequently involved. These boats are normally used and made of wood and fiberglass, possess basic safety features, and fail to conform to maritime safety rules. Government interveners have repeatedly advised against their usage, stating that there are a lot of dangers and many tragedies.
Those migrants trying to travel to Puerto Rico via the Dominican Republic reportedly shell out as much as 7000 dollars per way and risk their lives in a bid to cover the journey. Hispaniola, the island that was occupied by both the Dominican Republic and the neighboring Haiti, has experienced a ninefold increase in migration attempts over the past several years. This has become one of the trends that grew due to economic difficulties, political instabilities in Haiti, and fewer opportunities in the area.
The unlawful sea paths to Puerto Rico have been gaining momentum as an exploit by terminally dispossessed migrants, notwithstanding the hazardous weather conditions and elevated surveillance by the local sea authorities. The Dominican navy has already initiated a search-and-rescue effort to find the missing passengers, but the authorities state that the likelihood of rescuing more people in time is decreasing.
It is one more tragic reminder of the dangerous voyages of migrants who just want to have a better life, and the necessity of enhancing regional cooperation in the sphere of migration and border security.
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