Tragedy Strikes as 40 Migrants Die in Boat Fire off Haiti’s Coast
At least 40 migrants have lost their lives after a devastating boat fire off the northern coast of Haiti, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has reported. The vessel was en route from Cap-Haitien to the Turks and Caicos Islands when the tragic incident occurred, leaving 41 others rescued by the Haitian Coast Guard.
The exact cause of the fire remains unclear, but a local official mentioned that individuals on the boat were lighting candles as part of a ritual for safe passage, inadvertently igniting gasoline-filled drums. The injured survivors are currently receiving care from the IOM, with 11 of them transported to the nearest hospital for further treatment.
This heartbreaking event sheds light on the dangers faced by migrants, particularly children, women, and men, who embark on perilous journeys through irregular routes in search of safety and better opportunities. Haiti’s socio-economic crisis, exacerbated by extreme violence and political instability, has pushed tens of thousands of people to flee the country each year.
The escalating gang violence in Haiti, with armed groups seizing control of the capital earlier this year, has further fueled the humanitarian crisis. Despite the rising violence, more than 86,000 migrants have been forcibly returned to Haiti by neighboring countries in 2021 alone.
In response to the escalating violence, hundreds of Kenyan police officers have recently arrived in Haiti to support local law enforcement in combating the rampant gang activities. The IOM emphasizes the urgent need for safe and legal migration pathways to prevent further tragedies and protect vulnerable migrants seeking a better life.
