Coast Guard rescue teams responded this morning and afternoon to a massive rescue case of people who fell into the water after the boat they were traveling in capsized.
The 25-foot vessel reportedly capsized while on an illegal voyage approximately 10 nautical miles north of Desecheo Island.
According to the Puerto Rico Police, dozens of people were traveling on the boat and several of them drowned. At least one of those rescued so far is in a very delicate state of health.
According to the latest Coast Guard report, 11 people died (all women) and dozens were rescued.
It all started when the Coast Guard watchmen received a communication around 11:47 a.m. today, reporting that the crew of a Customs and Border Protection plane had spotted an overturned boat with people in the water who appeared not to be wearing life jackets.
“A plane spotted that a boat had capsized and that there were people in the water and it seems that they did not have lifeguards,” Ricardo Castrodad, spokesman for the Coast Guard, who is now focusing on rescue efforts. “We want to recover the largest number of people alive,” the official added.
Coast Guard watchmen directed the launch of several MH-60T helicopters from the Borinquen Air Station and diverted the Cutter Joseph Tezanos to rescue possible survivors.
The area where the shipwreck occurred “is quite far from the coast. It is a difficult situation and our priority is to save as many people as possible,” Castrodad added.
The marine units of the Customs and Border Protection Office and the Joint Forces of Rapid Action of the Puerto Rico Police are also responding to the emergency.
