MIAMI – The U.S. Coast Guard intercepted hundreds of Haitian migrants earlier this week.
According to a release from the Coast Guard, a total of 202 Haitians were rescued Tuesday on the waters about 20 miles northwest of Cap Du Mole, Haiti.
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All the migrants were brought aboard the Coast Guard cutter due to the 50-foot sail freighter that the migrants were traveling on being overloaded, authorities said. It was later destroyed as “a hazard to navigation,” per the release.
“Migrants attempting to enter the United States by sea are often on grossly overloaded, unseaworthy vessels, and without safety equipment,” said Lt. David Steele, Coast Guard Liaison Officer, U.S. Embassy Haiti. “Sadly, many people have lost their lives in these attempts.”
The migrants were all safely returned to Haitian authorities on Thursday.
No injuries or major medical concerns were reported among the migrants.
In a separate incident, 199 Haitian migrants were rescued from a 50-foot sail freighter on Thursday afternoon.
They were found southeast of Pointe de la Plateforme, Haiti.
All migrants were brought aboard the Coast Guard cutter. They were safely transferred to Haitian authorities on Saturday.
The vessel they were traveling on was destroyed as “a hazard to navigation.”
According to the Coast Guard, 1,527 Haitian migrants have been rescued since Oct. 1, 2020.