Forty people have been rescued and two others have died after a makeshift boat capsized off Mona Island, Puerto Rico, following a fight in which people were reportedly attacked with a machete.
The vessel overturned at about 11pm on Sunday, September 27, roughly 10 nautical miles from the island, which lies 41 miles west of Puerto Rico. Survivors told the United States Coast Guard that around 60 people had been aboard.
The violence forced passengers into the water as they tried to swim towards Mona Island. None of those on board was wearing a life jacket, according to the Coast Guard.
Search continues off Mona Island
Coast Guard crews recovered two people who had died and lifted 40 survivors from the sea during a large-scale rescue operation on Monday, September 28.
The response involved the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Doyle, helicopters from Air Station Borinquen and aircraft operated by US Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations.
Officials said the search for any remaining survivors was continuing. Puerto Rico police, environmental protection rangers and other partner agencies were also involved in the operation.
Coast Guard footage showed a Borinquen helicopter rescuing people from the water while a Customs and Border Protection aircraft flew overhead.
The circumstances surrounding the machete attack, including who was responsible, had not been disclosed.
