Seventeen people died after a boat carrying dozens of Haitian migrants capsized off the coast of The Bahamas, authorities said on Sunday, as more Haitians attempt to reach the United States to flee gang violence and poverty at home, Trend reports citing Reuters.
Rescue teams recovered the bodies of 17 people, including an infant, and 25 people were rescued, Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Davis told a news conference. Davis said authorities believe they were on a speedboat heading for Miami.
"It is believed that the vessel capsized in rough seas," he said.
Up to 60 people may have been on board and more people were presumed missing, Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander said.