Ninety Migrants Feared Dead After Capsize

(AP)  The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search Wednesday for roughly 90 migrants feared dead after their makeshift boat apparently sank in an often-stormy stretch of water between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.

For four days, rescue crews had used helicopters, a cutter and several aircraft to look for a sign of the wooden boat reported missing in the perilous 80-mile Mona Passage separating the Dominican Republic from this comparatively wealthy U.S. territory.

But Coast Guard Capt. Eduardo Pino said the mission was suspended Wednesday evening after rescuers found no debris or bodies in the white-capped waters where the Atlantic collides with the Caribbean Sea.

Earlier reports put the number of passengers at 40, but Coast Guard spokesman Ricardo Castrodad said the estimated number of people on the boat had risen to about 90 since the weekend.

The illegal migrants apparently were all Dominicans, but authorities could not rule out that a few Cubans or Haitians might also have been on the boat, known as a "yola."

"We call out to the Dominican people for their help in preventing these tragedies. Do not allow your loved ones to put their lives in the hands of migrant smugglers, criminals, who care only about making a profit," Pino said.

The boat left the southeastern Dominican Republic last Wednesday night and a woman whose boyfriend was on the boat alerted authorities that it was missing on Saturday, according to Castrodad.

Several other relatives then reported that the vessel did not arrive in Puerto Rico on Friday as planned. The Coast Guard search, aided by Dominican rescue crews, began Sunday.

Hundreds of illegal Dominican migrants brave the perilous ocean voyage to Puerto Rico each year to seek better lives.

A boat carrying 33 Dominican migrants got lost last month as they tried to reach Puerto Rico. Five survivors who were rescued after 15 days at sea said they ate one of the dead passengers to stay alive.

[pcreversed]

As to the illegal aliens - At least, they were heading to puerto rico, and not miami ( or so the implication is ) .. As long as they stay there, who gives a sh*t .. puerto rico can deal with them, or keep them, or whatever .. Just keep them the hell away from mainland USA.


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Posted by reality101a at 03:03 AM

The only thing wrong with what you stated is everything. We support Puerto rico. It is a possession of the US. In fact we send a large part of them food stamps and welfare

[pcreversed]

Why are they "feared dead"? Since they were trying to invade illegally, I would think the headline should read "Hopefully Dead" Time to get tough on illegals and give them reason to stay the hell out of this country. I have yet to meet anyone with a brain that likes the illegals being here. The only entity that seems to like them is the government and that is only so they can get more money from the people living in this country. Our government licks the sweat off a rabid monkey''s balls

[bacallabah]

well theres 90 more jobs for american citizens

[hitoyou1]

Illegal aliens are now migrants according to CBS. CBS is wrong. Coming to the U.S. with out the right paper work is ILLEHAL. Like I so, just 90 we don''t have to give money too. Maybe the water can do what needs to be done to these illegals

[hitoyou1]

No big deal. Just 90 we want have to give money too.

[slim1h2o]

The more you load in ,the greater the profit -capitalism at its best.

Posted by babooph at 03:47 AM : Nov 20, 2008

Yup, even that business model is failing.

[babooph]

The more you load in ,the greater the profit -capitalism at its best.

[reality101a]

autumn987 Is that supposed to make sense? Or, is it ''supposed to be'' poetry? ( which usually makes no sense anyhow, unless it rhymes .. lol )

As to the illegal aliens - At least, they were heading to puerto rico, and not miami ( or so the implication is ) .. As long as they stay there, who gives a sh*t .. puerto rico can deal with them, or keep them, or whatever .. Just keep them the hell away from mainland USA.