The United States Coast Guard has called off the search for ten missing individuals following the sinking of a boat with 62 people on board in the Mona Passage. This decision comes after four days of intensive operations that resulted in the rescue of 49 survivors and the recovery of three bodies.
The San Juan Sector announced on Thursday that the search efforts have been suspended, pending any new developments or information that might lead to a resumption.
Over the course of the operation, air, sea, and land units conducted searches for 78 continuous hours, covering more than 2,000 nautical square miles—an area exceeding half the size of Puerto Rico, according to the Coast Guard.
“Our condolences go out to the families of those missing after this tragic sinking in the Mona Passage,” stated Commander Matthew Romano, head of response for the San Juan Sector and coordinator of the search and rescue mission.
Romano emphasized the collaborative efforts of the Coast Guard, other U.S. agencies, the Dominican Republic forces, and the crew of a civilian vessel involved in the initial rescues.
The final tally of the search operation stands at 49 people saved, three deceased, and ten still missing.
On Tuesday, the Coast Guard cutter Joseph Doyle transported the 49 survivors to Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, where they were handed over to agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Border Patrol from the Ramey Sector.
The three bodies recovered were transferred to the Institute of Forensic Sciences in Puerto Rico.
Details on Nationalities and Investigation
New information has also emerged regarding the nationalities of those on board. Preliminary reports suggest most of the passengers were Dominican, with at least two being Haitian.
HSI is conducting an ongoing investigation into the potential criminal aspects of the case and is working to confirm the identities and nationalities of all involved.
Violent Incident Before the Sinking
Survivors have recounted that around 62 individuals departed from the Dominican Republic on an improvised and overloaded boat headed for Puerto Rico.
The vessel capsized around 11:00 p.m. on Sunday in the waters of the Mona Passage.
Testimonies gathered by authorities indicate that a violent altercation occurred on board before the sinking, during which several people were injured with a machete. Amid the chaos, some passengers jumped into the sea and attempted to swim toward Mona Island.
Subsequently, the Coast Guard updated the numbers to 49 survivors and three fatalities, while continuing a wide-scale operation to locate the remaining ten individuals.
The operation included participation from the Coast Guard cutters Joseph Doyle and Joseph Tezanos, helicopters, and other aircraft from the Coast Guard, units from Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Puerto Rico Police, Civil Air Patrol, and resources from the Dominican Republic Navy and Air Force, among other agencies.
The Coast Guard reiterated its warning about the dangers of attempting to reach U.S. territory using makeshift boats for illegal migration through the Caribbean.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Puerto Rico Boat Sinking
What caused the suspension of the search efforts?
The search was suspended due to the lack of new information or developments that could lead to locating the missing individuals. The decision was made after 78 hours of continuous searching.
Who were the majority of the passengers on the boat?
The majority of the passengers were reported to be Dominican, with at least two identified as Haitian.
What preceded the boat's sinking in the Mona Passage?
Before the boat capsized, there was a violent incident on board involving a machete, which led to several injuries. This chaos caused some occupants to jump overboard and attempt to swim to safety.