US Coast Guard ends search for Dominican Republic migrants lost at sea

Sunday, February 22, 2004

MIAMI, USA (AFP): The US Coast Guard ended Friday its search for Dominican Republic migrants lost at sea attempting to reach Puerto Rico.

Three died, two were rescued and about 18 were missing after their 30-foot craft capsized early Thursday near Maruy, Puerto Rico, according to one of the survivors. Several passengers apparently swam to shore, the survivor said.

"The Coast Guard suspended its search efforts for additional survivors of a Dominican Republic migrant boat that overturned just offshore early (Thursday) morning near Camuy, Puerto Rico," said Johnny Gonzalez, chief of search and rescue for the Coast Guard Greater Antilles Section.

"We discourage everyone from setting out on this type of voyage as the dangers are so great."

The Coast Guard used three helicopters and a boat, along with Puerto Rican police.

The Dominican Republic's economic crisis triggered a jump in the number of people trying to escape across the Mona Passage, which separates the Caribbean island from US territory at Puerto Rico.

Sixty Dominicans are known to have died crossing the Mona Passage, although the total loss is probably much higher, the Coast Guard said, because many are never detected.

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