Following the sinking on the night of Sunday July 24, 2022 of a boat off New Providence in the Bahamas archipelago https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-37234-haiti-flash-shipwreck-in-the-bahamas-16-haitians-dead-and-21-survivors-provisional-report.html where at least 17 Haitians (15 women, 1, man and 1 baby) lost their lives and 21 others were rescued (17 men and 4 women) , a multi-agency investigation is underway to determine all the circumstances surrounding an alleged human trafficking operation, which resulted in the deaths of the Haitian migrants.

According to the first preliminary information of the investigation, an as yet undetermined number of Haitians boarded a boat which would have left West Bay Street on Sunday around 1:00 a.m. investigators believe their final destination was Miami, Florida and the boat may have capsized due to being overloaded with passengers and rough seas.

According to the Bahamian authorities, survivors said they paid between 3 and 8 thousand US dollars to make this clandestine journey.

Mgr. Patrick C. Pinder, Archbishop of Nassau in the Bahamas reacted with sadness to the news of the sinking, calling for international efforts to eliminate the causes for which Haitians risk their lives to flee their country...

In a statement Bishop Patrick C. Pinder said, "As a community of faith, we hold firmly in our prayers all those who have perished or those who have been impacted by this tragedy at sea. We hold dear our belief that every human life is sacred. Every human life has dignity."

For its part, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) said it was extremely saddened by the tragic death at sea of ​​at least 17 Haitians off the Bahamas.

"This latest disaster brings to the fore once again the desperate situation in Haiti and the reprehensible nature of the actions of those who are taking advantage of people trying to escape.

[...] CARICOM looks forward to the apprehension and bringing to justice of those who prey on the hopes and aspirations of vulnerable persons. The Community extends its condolences to the relatives of those who lost their lives and to the Government and People of Haiti."

S/ HaitiLibre