Coast Guard intercepts overcrowded migrant vessel near Turks and Caicos
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
An overcrowded migrant ship carrying 240 people and taking on water near the Turks and Caicos Islands was stopped after authorities made efforts to prevent a possible maritime disaster.
The U.S. Coast Guard said it conducted a joint operation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations and the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) on Sunday to stop a ship carrying hundreds of immigrants claiming to be Haitian nationals.
Authorities received a report of an “illegal immigrant voyage” approximately 15 miles south of the Turks and Caicos Islands, according to a Coast Guard statement.
Video released by the Coast Guard shows responders assisting local authorities in securing and towing the overcrowded ship.
TRAVEL WARNING ISSUED IN TURKS AND CAICOS AS IMMIGRANTS LIVE IN SHOCKS TO POPULAR VACATION SPOTS
An overloaded migrant ship carrying 240 people was spotted near the Turks and Caicos Islands over the weekend before authorities intervened. (via U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott, X)
Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force later detained the ship and its passengers, the Coast Guard said.
According to the agency, more than 140 personnel participated in the operation.
“The successful interdiction and safe removal of these individuals from a dangerous situation was made possible by the close cooperation and rapid response of the Coast Guard, CBP AMO personnel, and Turks and Caicos Islands officials,” Lt. Chelsea Garcia, assistant director of Coast Guard Operations for the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands, said in a statement. he said.
COAST GUARD WARS AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS STORM US BEACHES
A Coast Guard aircrew helped guide ships responding to an overcrowded migrant boat carrying hundreds of people, officials said. (US Coast Guard)
“We strongly advise anyone considering participating in an illegal maritime migration effort to reconsider,” Garcia continued. “These voyages are extremely dangerous, often involving overcrowded and unseaworthy vessels, often flooded and lacking basic life-saving equipment.”
Garcia encouraged would-be immigrants to follow “safe, legal and orderly routes” rather than “risking their lives at sea.”
The Ministry of Homeland Security also reacted to the images of the operation on social media.
COAST GUARD CUTTER STOPPED THE BOAT WITH 16 MEXICAN OFF THE CALIFORNIA COAST
Officials said the ship was taking on water and was at risk of sinking when response teams arrived. (via U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott, X)
The agency wrote to X: “OUR BORDERS ARE CLOSED.” “If you try to enter our country illegally, whether by land or sea, we will catch you and find you.”
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott shared images of the ban and praised the cooperation between the Coast Guard and its international partners.
“The overcrowded ship was taking on water and was in danger of sinking,” Scott wrote to X.
“Our staff helped prevent a catastrophic loss of life while stopping another attempt at illegal immigration,” he continued. “The message is clear: illegal maritime immigration is dangerous, not worth the risk, and you cannot enter the United States.”
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION
Authorities said the ship was carrying 240 people who claimed to be Haitian citizens. (US Coast Guard)
The operation comes months after the Coast Guard and CBP stopped several suspected smuggling vessels off the coast of California, resulting in the capture of 60 people on three boats.
Fox News Digital’s Robert McGreevy contributed to this report.
