16 migrants killed after boat capsized off near New Providence The Bahamas

The Royal Bahamas Defense Force said a boat capsized near New Providence. The Nassau Guardian reports the Minister of Immigration said 16 Haitian migrants died

During the early morning hours of Sunday, a boat carrying Haitian migrants is said to have capsized in the waters off the Bahamas, resulting in the deaths of 16 people.

When contacted by FOX3, a petty officer with the Royal Bahamas Defense Force would only acknowledge the ship capsized near New Providence and that there was a “ongoing inquiry.” All questions regarding migrant deaths should be referred to the agency’s public relations office.

However, both the Nassau Guardian and Eyewitness News Bahamas have stated that Minister of Immigration Keith Bell has acknowledged that at least 21 people have been rescued and 16 people have died, adding that all of the victims were Haitian nationals.

Over 150 Haitians were on a boat that was stopped off Boca Chita Key on Thursday. These boats are full of people and carry both deadly danger and the hopes of people who want to leave Haiti’s political and economic turmoil behind. Since October, the U.S. Coast Guard says it has stopped more than 6,100 Haitians at sea and sent them back. This is the largest attempt by Haitians to leave the country by boat in the past 20 years.

Bell said preliminary reports indicate the survivors and the deceased appear to be Haitian nationals.

“We mourn the lives lost of those seeking a better way of life,” Bell told The Nassau Guardian this morning.

“Those here with families and friends in Haiti, encourage your loved ones not to risk their lives. May God bless their souls”