A makeshift boat carrying 62 people capsized near Mona Island, Puerto Rico, after a machete attack.Coast Guard Rescued 49 people ,three died and 10 remain missing.
A major search and rescue operation is underway near Mona Island, Puerto Rico, after a makeshift vessel carrying dozens of people overturned in the Caribbean Sea.
The incident happened late Sunday near Mona Island, an uninhabited island located west of Puerto Rico. According to the latest information from the U.S. Coast Guard and Associated Press, the boat was carrying 62 passengers when it capsized.
Machete Attack Triggered Panic on the Boat
According to information provided by survivors, a violent confrontation broke out aboard the vessel before it overturned.
One passenger reportedly attacked others with a machete, causing serious injuries and creating panic among the people on board. As the situation escalated, numerous passengers entered the water.
The passengers were reportedly not properly equipped for the emergency, making the situation even more dangerous once they were separated from the overturned vessel.
The exact reason for the attack has not been established. U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson Ricardo Castrodad said the incident created a situation of panic, but authorities had not determined what triggered the confrontation.
Survivors Spent Hours in the Water
The incident became particularly serious because the people who entered the sea were left in open water for many hours.
Survivors spent more than 12 hours in the water before a passing vessel spotted people near Mona Island on Monday.
The passing vessel reported the emergency to authorities and helped rescue four people before Coast Guard assets arrived. The Coast Guard subsequently expanded the search using vessels and aircraft.
The location of the incident also presented significant challenges. Mona Island is positioned in the Mona Passage, the maritime route separating Puerto Rico from the island of Hispaniola, which is shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
Coast Guard Search Continues
The latest update indicates that 49 people have been rescued, while three bodies have been recovered.
Authorities are still searching for 10 missing people.
Coast Guard helicopters have been operating around Mona Island and nearby waters as crews continue looking for survivors.
The initial Coast Guard report on Monday said at least 40 people had been rescued and two people had died. The numbers increased as the search operation continued and additional survivors and victims were located.
Most Passengers Were Reportedly From the Dominican Republic
The U.S. Coast Guard said the majority of people aboard the vessel were migrants from the Dominican Republic, while two passengers were believed to be from Haiti.
Authorities have not publicly established the full circumstances surrounding the voyage or the vessel’s origin.
The Mona Passage has previously been used by people attempting to reach Puerto Rico aboard small and often poorly equipped vessels. The route can expose such boats to significant maritime risks, particularly when vessels are overloaded or lack proper safety equipment.
Mona Passage Has Seen Previous Deadly Boat Incidents
The latest accident is not the first deadly incident involving an overloaded or makeshift vessel in the waters around Puerto Rico.
In June 2022, a boat carrying Haitian migrants capsized in open waters northwest of Puerto Rico. Eleven Haitian women and girls died in that incident.
The repeated accidents highlight the dangers associated with attempting long maritime crossings in small vessels that may lack sufficient stability, lifesaving appliances and emergency communications.
For those involved in the latest incident, the danger was compounded by the onboard violence, the subsequent capsize and the long period survivors spent exposed in the sea.
Search Operation Remains Ongoing
The U.S. Coast Guard and partner agencies are continuing their search around Mona Island for the remaining missing passengers.
With 10 people still unaccounted for, authorities have not yet concluded the search operation.
The incident also demonstrates how quickly a situation aboard a small vessel can develop into a mass maritime emergency. What began as an altercation on board ultimately resulted in a vessel overturning, dozens of people entering the water and a large-scale search and rescue response.
Further updates are expected as search crews continue their operations.
