At least 40 migrants died when their boat caught fire off the coast of Haiti, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) announced on Friday. The tragedy, which occurred on July 17, once again illustrates the scale of the crisis affecting this Caribbean country, undermined by gangs and insecurity.
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The Haitian coast guard rescued 41 migrants taken into care by the IOM. Eleven people were taken to hospital for treatment, including for burns, the UN agency said. Among them, seven injured are in serious condition, said Arold Jean, spokesman for the Haitian police in the North department. The search continues in order to find other survivors. “, he stressed, adding that an investigation had been opened for ” identify and dismantle the networks that organize these clandestine trips “.
According to this agent, a “ fire followed by explosion ” happened on the boat. A version confirmed by survivors who explain that the fire started when a passenger lit a candle to perform a voodoo ceremony, while there was gasoline on board, specifies a spokesperson for the Haitian police. Voodoo rites are sometimes practiced by migrants taking to the sea in order to protect their crossing.
The ship carrying ” more than 80 people ” had left from Labadie, in the north ofHaitiheading for the Turks and Caicos Islands, an archipelago located 250 kilometers away, according to the International Organization for Migration.
Crossings on the rise, 86,000 forced returns of Haitians since the beginning of the year
Since February 29, 2024, the coast guard in northern Haiti has observed an increase in the number of attempted and departed migrant boats, according to IOM. Lack of economic opportunities, a collapsing health system, school closures and a lack of prospects are forcing many people to consider migration as the only means of survival. “, the organization continues. However, it indicates, more than 86,000 Haitians have been forced to return to the island by countries in the region since the beginning of the year. The IOM “ is concerned about the high number of forced returns of Haitians during this current period of civil unrest and uncertainty » in a press release. ” Haiti’s socio-economic situation is in agony, assures Grégoire Goodstein, head of the IOM mission in the country. The extreme violence of recent months has only prompted Haitians to resort to even more desperate measures. ” to flee their country.
Haiti has been mired for years in an economic, political and security crisis exacerbated by gang violence that controls 80% of the capital and major roads of the country. These armed gangs are accused of numerous murders, rapes, looting and kidnappings for ransom. The situation worsened further earlier this year, when the gangs decided to join forces to overthrow the then Prime Minister, Ariel Henry.
Since the overthrow of Ariel Henry, the transitional authorities have had to work to get the country back on its feet, with the support of a multinational mission supported by the UN and led by the Kenya. A huge task in a country that has not had a president since the assassination of Jovenel Moses in 2021, Haiti now has nearly 600,000 internally displaced people.
Read alsoGang violence in Haiti: nearly 600,000 internally displaced, a 60% increase in three months according to the UN