SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — The U.S. Coast Guard has detained two suspected human smugglers after rescuing 19 Haitian migrants when a boat capsized near the Dominican Republic, killing one person.
Coast Guard spokesman Ricardo Castrodad said Thursday that the men in custody are suspected of forcing migrants overboard and causing the boat to capsize. He says one Haitian man died.
Authorities say the incident happened Sunday as the boat was headed to the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico.
Haitian migrants are increasingly traveling to the Dominican Republic as a jumping off point for attempts to reach Puerto Rico. Dozens have been rescued in nearby waters in recent months.
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