The US Coast Guard and various emergency agencies are conducting a search and rescue operation after a makeshift vessel capsized near Mona Island, off the west coast of Puerto Rico. So far, 40 people have been rescued alive and two bodies have been recovered. According to survivors, around 60 people were on board, and a fight broke out around 11:00 PM on Sunday, resulting in several people being seriously injured with a machete.
Some passengers jumped into the water and tried to swim to Mona Island. None of the people on the vessel were wearing life jackets. The operation began after the crew of the Motor Vessel Tripiti reported finding four people in the water at around noon.
The search and rescue effort involves units from Puerto Rico, the US, and the Dominican Republic. The Coast Guard is asking anyone with information to contact the San Juan Sector Command Center at 787-289-2041. The search will continue to locate any other people who may be in the water or near Mona Island.