| Office of Public Affairs U.S. Coast Guard Seventh District |
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| Press Release |
Date: July 14, 2004 Contact: LTjg Eric Willis |
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THIRD BODY FOUND FROM MIGRANT TRAGEDY Possibly 15 still missing **Update: Video/Photos Available** SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - A third body has been located by the Coast Guard today as crews continue searching for up to 15 still missing from a migrant boat capsizing that may have occurred as early as Sunday night in the Mona Passage. The body was recovered by the cutter Cushing and turned over to the local coroner in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, along with another body recovered last night. The first body spotted yesterday morning sank before it could be recovered. So far, 14 migrants have been rescued and up to 15 remain missing according to the survivors. "Our cutter and aircraft crews continue to search for any survivors, but as each hour passes our hopes of finding additional survivors diminsh," said Capt. Douglas Rudolph, Coast Guard Greater Antilles Section Commander. "Our hearts and prayers are with the family and friends of the dead and missing." He continued, "This tragic case, just like another capsizing in these waters just one month ago, is a testament to the deadly nature of these voyages. For anyone considering making one of these attempts, or those who fund or urge them, realize that you are literally staking a life on it." The massive search effort began last night when a patrolling ICE Air and Marine Operations aircraft located the overturned vessel shortly after 8:00 p.m. Monday. The Coast Guard Greater Antilles Section was notified and diverted the Coast Guard Cutters Cushing and Venturous, who arrived on scene about 35 minutes later and immediately began recovering migrants found clinging to the boat's hull. The search effort has included ICE Air and Marine Operations, the Puerto Rico Police Department's Forces United for Rapid Action, and the Coast Guard. More than 11 helicopter and 4 fixed-wing sorties have been flown, for almost 40 flight hours. The Venturous has been searching since 8:30 Monday night, along with the Cushing who was relieved by Chincoteague this morning. Since Oct. 1, 2003, 45 migrants are now known to have died in the Mona Pass, with the above missing possibly bringing that number to 60. CGC Cushing is a 110-foot Patrol Boat based in San Juan. CGC Venturous is a 210-foot Medium Endurance Cutter based in St. Petersburg, Fla. ### Editor's Note: Dramatic video of the cutter Cushing's rescue of 12 migrants from the overturned hull of the migrant boat Monday night is available to the media. The video can be picked up at the Brickell Plaza Federal Building, 909 SE 1st Ave. Miami, Fla. or the Coast Guard Greater Antilles Section in San Juan. The below photographs are available in higher resolution. To receive a copy electronically contact 305 415-6683. MONA PASSAGE -- The Coast Guard Cutter VENTUROUS, out of St. Petersburg, Fla. hoists a migrant onboard last night after she was rescued by the crew of an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter more than a day after the over-crowded boat she was traveling on capsized. So far, 14 migrants have been rescued since the overturned boat was located by a patrolling ICE aircraft Monday night. Sadly, three bodies have also been located and up to 15 remain missing with a search effort ongoing. Since Oct. 1, 2003, the Coast Guard has rescued more than 5,400 migrants in the Mona Pass. Forty-two are known to have died in that period. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Danielle DeMarino.
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