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Charlotte Amalie
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesSearch Suspended for Survivors in Tortola Boat Accident

Search Suspended for Survivors in Tortola Boat Accident

After searching for most of the day, the U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search Monday afternoon for additional survivors from a boat carrying illegal immigrants from Haiti that ran aground early Monday on a reef near the outer entrance of Paraquita Bay in Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

B.V.I. rescue crews recovered five bodies, including three adults and two children. The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Reef Shark rescued 14 survivors from the water, while B.V.I. authorities accounted for 14 other survivors.

A Dutch Dash-8 aircraft crew initially detected the vessel with more than 30 people aboard Sunday night traveling at high rate of speed on a course from St. Maarten to the Virgin Islands. The original departure point of the vessel remains under investigation.

The Coast Guard in San Juan received a report from the Dutch aircraft and diverted the Reef Shark to investigate.

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Caribbean Air and Marine Branch Dash-8 aircraft was also launched and located the vessel on a course to Tortola. B.V.I. Drug Squad Marine units also responded.

The Reef Shark attempted to get close to the vessel, but was able to come only within a mile before the boat hit the reef. Most passengers were thrown into the water, but a B.V.I. official has said that two bodies were found in the boat.

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