At least 40 migrants dead after boat caught on fire in Haiti

The United Nations confirmed on Friday that at least 40 migrants lost their lives when a boat they were traveling in caught fire off the coast of Cap-Haïtien in Haiti.

Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, revealed during a daily briefing that the boat had departed from Labadee last Wednesday, carrying over 80 people en route to the Turks and Caicos Islands, a journey of approximately 250 kilometers.

“We have sad news from the north of Haiti. Colleagues from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) say that at least 40 migrants have died, and several others were injured, after a boat they were traveling in caught fire off Cap Haitien,” Haq announced.

“Forty-one surviving migrants who were aboard were rescued by the Haitian Coast Guard and are currently receiving medical care, food, water, and psychosocial support provided by IOM, in support of the national authorities. Eleven migrants were taken to the nearest hospital for treatment, including burns,” he added.

Grégoire Goodstein, Head of IOM in Haiti, emphasized the tragic event’s significance, stating it underscores the crucial need for safe and legal pathways for migration.

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The IOM reported that more than 86,000 migrants have been forcibly returned to Haiti by neighboring countries this year.

In March alone, despite a surge in violence and the closure of airports throughout the country, forced returns increased by 46 percent, reaching 13,000 people.

Since February 29, the coastguard in the north has observed an increase in the number of attempts and departures by boat. Coastguards from countries in the region, including the United States, the Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos islands, and Jamaica, have also reported a growing number of boats originating from Haiti being intercepted at sea.

Several hundred Kenyan police officers have arrived in Haiti as part of a UN-mandated mission to help police in the Caribbean nation fight the gangs.

Read more: Second wave of Kenyan police officers sent to Haiti