At least four people have died and around 20 are missing after a migrant boat carrying approximately 40 passengers capsized off the coast of the Dominican Republic, local authorities reported on Friday.
The vessel, believed to be headed for Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, was carrying refugees and migrants from the Dominican Republic and Haiti, continuing a dangerous trend of life-risking journeys across the Caribbean.
The Dominican Civil Defence Authority, cited by AFP, confirmed that 17 individuals were rescued following the maritime disaster. The Dominican Navy added that the survivors included 10 Dominicans and seven Haitians, with a child among those rescued.
Deadly Yola Boat Journey
The migrants were traveling in a “yola,” a type of small, often overcrowded wooden or fibreglass boat widely used in illegal crossings. Authorities emphasize that these vessels do not meet safety regulations and are highly prone to accidents in open waters.
Migrants pay up to $7,000 for a one-way trip to Puerto Rico in hopes of escaping economic hardship and political instability—particularly in Haiti, which has been plagued by gang violence, poverty, and mass displacement.
Increasing Migration Risk
The sea journey from the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico has grown increasingly perilous in recent years. In 2022, at least five people drowned and 66 were rescued in a similar tragedy when a suspected human smuggling boat sank near Mona Island, an uninhabited nature reserve between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico often used by migrant smugglers.
Despite the dangers, desperation continues to fuel such crossings, as both Dominicans and Haitians seek safer and more stable lives in the United States.
Background Context
The island of Hispaniola, shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti, has become a focal point of regional migration. Amid Haiti’s worsening crisis, Dominican authorities have increased deportations of Haitian migrants, while Puerto Rico has become a frequent destination for both nationals fleeing hardship.
The U.S. Coast Guard and Border Patrol have repeatedly raised concerns over the increasing number of illegal sea crossings, which pose significant risks not just to those on board but also to emergency responders.
