Published: 25th of July, 2022

A vessel carrying about 60 persons reportedly took off from Bahamas but hit rough waters and capsized, drowning some of the occupants. Those killed include 15 females, 1 male, and an infant.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Royal Bahamas Defense Force responded to reports of a boating accident about 7 miles offshore New Providence on Sunday, 24th of July, 2022 at around 1 am. In addition to the 17 dead, 25 persons were rescued and an unknown number remain missing.

Two Bahamian men who are believed to have been smuggling the Haitians are currently assisting police with investigations. Bahamian authorities said the two masterminds will be charged with a criminal offence, and that they already had several brushes with the law.

Those rescued are currently being given humanitarian assistance by the Bahamian government. They told investigators that they paid an average of 5000 USD each to go to the USA.

For decades, Haiti has been marred by gun violence, murders, and kidnappings, and over 1 million Haitians are in danger of facing extreme hunger.