Puerto Rico Boat Capsizes: 2 Dead, 40 Rescued as Survivors Report Machete Attack

Two people were found dead and at least 40 were rescued off Puerto Rico’s Mona Island after a makeshift boat carrying an estimated 60 people capsized, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Searches continued Monday for others still missing.

Survivors told rescuers that a fight involving a machete broke out aboard the vessel, leaving people seriously injured and forcing some to jump into the sea.

Survivors Describe Violence Before Capsizing

According to the account relayed to the Coast Guard, the boat overturned at approximately 11pm on Sunday, September 27. Some passengers attempted to swim toward Mona Island.

The Coast Guard said nobody aboard was wearing a life jacket.

The emergency response began around noon Monday after the crew of the motor vessel Tripiti reported rescuing four people from the water about 10 nautical miles off the island.

Mona Island lies between Puerto Rico’s main island and the Dominican Republic.

Search Continues Around Mona Island

The Coast Guard cutter Joseph Doyle, helicopters, aircraft and marine units joined the search alongside Puerto Rico Police and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The Dominican Republic Air Force and Puerto Rico’s Department of Natural and Environmental Resources were also participating.

The exact number of missing people remained unclear because the estimated passenger count had not been confirmed. Authorities had not released the identities or nationalities of those aboard, or established the vessel’s departure point and intended destination.