The United States Coast Guard has provided an updated report on the shipwreck near Mona Island, Puerto Rico: 49 individuals have been rescued, three have perished, and ten remain missing.
Survivors indicated to authorities that the vessel was carrying 62 people when it capsized, according to information from the Southeast United States Coast Guard.
The cutter Joseph Doyle transported the 49 rescued individuals to shore, where they were placed in the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers for further investigation.
The incident occurred around 11:00 p.m. on Sunday, approximately ten nautical miles from Mona Island. However, authorities were not alerted to the emergency until midday Monday, when the crew of the merchant vessel Tripiti discovered four individuals in the water and notified the Coast Guard's San Juan Sector.
The testimonies of these initial survivors revealed the scale of the tragedy, prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation.
As of Monday, the tally stood at two deceased and at least 40 rescued. Tuesday's update increased the death toll to three and the number of survivors to 49, while ten individuals are still unaccounted for.
According to the Coast Guard, none of the vessel's occupants were wearing life jackets.
Survivors also recounted that a fight had broken out aboard prior to the shipwreck, resulting in severe injuries to several individuals with a machete. This situation reportedly led some occupants to jump into the water in an attempt to swim to Mona Island.
US authorities have yet to officially disclose the passengers' nationalities or confirm the vessel's point of origin.
The search efforts involve air and sea units from the Coast Guard, Puerto Rico Police, CBP Air and Marine Operations, the Dominican Republic Air Force, and personnel from Puerto Rico's Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.
The Mona Passage, separating the Dominican Republic from Puerto Rico, is a perilous route often used by migrant vessels attempting to reach US territory unlawfully.
Earlier in September, the same cutter Joseph Doyle repatriated 51 migrants to the Dominican Republic following another interception near Puerto Rico. In July, 37 migrants were apprehended while trying to enter the area illegally.
The search for the ten missing people is ongoing, according to the latest report from the Coast Guard.
Key Information about the Puerto Rico Shipwreck
What caused the shipwreck near Puerto Rico?
The shipwreck occurred due to the vessel capsizing, which may have been exacerbated by a fight on board involving a machete, leading some passengers to jump into the water.
How many people were aboard the vessel?
According to survivors, the vessel was carrying 62 individuals when it capsized.
Who is involved in the search and rescue operation?
The search and rescue efforts involve the US Coast Guard, Puerto Rico Police, CBP Air and Marine Operations, the Dominican Republic Air Force, and Puerto Rico's Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.