After 78 hours of searching and more than 2,000 square nautical miles covered, the U.S. Coast Guard suspended its operation to locate migrants who remain missing following the capsizing of a vessel near Mona Island. According to the Coast Guard, the incident was reported on the night of Sunday, Sept. 27, prompting a multi-day search involving multiple agencies and international bodies.
On Tuesday, the crew of the vessel Joseph Doyle brought 49 survivors to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Border Patrol's Ramey Sector in Mayagüez. The bodies of three people who died were taken to the Institute of Forensic Sciences. Commander Matthew Romano, response chief for Coast Guard Sector San Juan and search-and-rescue mission coordinator, extended condolences to the families of the missing.
He credited the survivors' rescue to the heroic, coordinated actions of a good Samaritan crew, U.S. air, maritime and land resources, and partners from the Dominican Republic's Air Force and Navy. Romano urged anyone considering migrating illegally by boat to the United States not to do so, warning that entrusting one's life to unscrupulous smugglers on improvised, unseaworthy boats can amount to a death sentence.
He said the Coast Guard remains vigilant and will pursue these illegal operations. HSI is investigating and will continue efforts to confirm the names and nationalities of everyone involved.