US returns 190 rafters to Dominican Republic

Friday, January 23, 2004

MIAMI, USA (AFP): The US Coast Guard said Wednesday it had picked up 190 Dominicans trying to reach the US territory of Puerto Rico in two boats and returned them to the Dominican Republic.

A 40-foot craft carried 136 people and a 30 foot craft carried 54.

The Coast Guard spotted the Dominicans attempting to cross the treacherous Mona Passage to reach Puerto Rico.

Since January 1, the Coast Guard said it had intercepted 15 such craft with a total of 750 Dominicans aboard. In 2003, 1,600 Dominicans were picked up.

About 60 are known to have died over the past three years, the Coast Guard said. "This number ... is likely much higher based on the number of unreported departures that never reach their destination," the Coast Guard statement said. 

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