Rescue teams are expected to resume their search Monday for Haitian survivors of a twin engine boat that capsized off West Caicos on Sunday.
The Royal Turks and Caicos Police reported that 15 bodies had been recovered and 14 persons had survived following the tragedy.
“At this stage, it is unclear as to the total souls on board the vessel. This is a tragic loss of life. We offer our condolences and sympathies to the families of those affected by this terrible incident. No journey is worth risking lives on the dangerous seas in these small vessels,’ Acting Turks and Caicos Police Commissioner Trevor Botting said.
The authorities said that at least four bodies were still unaccounted for in the shark infested waters.
The police said they were alerted to the incident on Sunday and had rescued 14 individuals and recovered 14 bodies, which were found floating in the water. They were later assisted by the United States Coast Guard.
“We have utilized all of our marine components, with the support of other rescue services. The search and rescue operation is ongoing,” Acting Turks and Caicos Police Commissioner Trevor Botting said.
“We cannot tell when it will end as it will be determined by the number of recoveries we make over the next day or so,” Botting said, adding that the incident is now under investigation.
This is the second major sea accident involving Haitians so far this year, as they seek to leave their country for a better life in the United States, the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
In February, at least 28 Haitians were killed when their boat capsized off the northern coast of the Bahamas.
