20 Haitian Migrants Found Dead Near Bahamas

Coast Guard Says Boat Capsized In Smuggling Venture Gone Awry

POSTED: Monday, April 21, 2008

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. -- The bodies of 20 Haitians have been recovered from the sea near the Bahamas after their boat capsized in what is believed to be an illegal human smuggling venture that went awry, U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Nick Ameen said Monday.

It happened about 15 miles northwest of Nassau, Bahamas, according to the Coast Guard.

Three survivors -- two Haitians and one Honduran -- have been found, according to the Coast Guard. The survivors said their boat was carrying 24 people when it capsized at about 10 p.m. Saturday.

The search-and-rescue mission began Sunday morning after fishermen heard people screaming in the water at about 4:45 a.m. The Bahamian government was assisting in the search, according to the Coast Guard.

"It's certainly an unfortunate situation that has unfolded," Ameen said.

Links We Like

Most Popular

StoriesClick to Expand
- Fans Flock To Glenn Beck Book Signing
  Hundreds of fans descended on a book store in Fort Lauderdale for a chance to see conservative commentator Glenn Beck.
- BB Gun Fired On UM Campus
  Someone fired shots from a BB gun on the University of Miami on Friday afternoon, according to a memo from the university to students.
- Man Beaten, Carjacked At Gas Station
  A man beat up a driver and stole his car outside a Pompano Beach gas station last week, and police are searching for the thief and his accomplices.
- 2 Dead In Miami Shooting
  Police say they are not ruling out road rage as a possible motive in a shooting that left two men dead and closed several streets in downtown Miami Friday morning.
- Burglary Jeopardizes School Yearbook
  Students at Miami Palmetto Senior High said thieves broke into the yearbook department and stole computers and the server, holding all the information and photographs for 2010's yearbook.
VideoClick to Expand
- Emotional Oprah Announces The End Of Her Show
  Holding back tears, Oprah Winfrey told her studio audience Friday that she would end her show in 2011 after a quarter-century on the air, saying prayer and careful thought led her to her decision. (Nov. 20)
- RAW VIDEO: See Unedited Video Of Local 10 Reporter Arrest
  Raw Video: On Tuesday, Miami-Dade Schools Police told WPLG-TV's Jeff Weinsier he was trespassing and that he needed to leave.
- MUST SEE: Jeff Weinsier Ambushes Business Owner
  Watch as the owner of a business being investigated on Ponzi scheme allegations walks and the rides away from Local 10's Jeff Weinsier.
- Funeral Held For Canal Crash Victim
  Friends and family will say their final goodbyes Friday to one of three teens who died when their car flipped into a Coral Springs canal last weekend.
- Possible Ponzi Scheme Targets South Florida Investors
  Members of South Florida's Caribbean community say they were promised big returns when they invested their money, but all they got were broken promises.
SlideshowsClick to Expand
- Photos: Onboard 'Oasis Of The Seas'
  Take a look onboard the world's largest cruise ship, which is home-ported at Port Everglades.
- Man Beaten, Carjacked At Gas Station
  A man beat up a driver and stole his car outside a Pompano Beach gas station last week, and police are searching for the thief and his accomplices.
- Victoria's Secret Models Take Over Times Square
  Thirty Victoria's Secret supermodels take over New York's Times Square this week.
- Most Overpaid Hollywood Stars
  Forbes magazine has released its annual list of the most overpaid Hollywood stars. Topping the list? Will Ferrell.
- Slideshow: Great Wrestling Photos By Mike Lano
  Professional photographer Dr. Mike Lano shares his wrestling photos from 1966 to today.