Â鶹´«Ã½

Skip to main content

Three dead, 13 missing in Caribbean sinking; 14 Africans saved

In this file photo, this image provided by German humanitarian organisation Sea-watch shows a boat carrying a group of migrants in distress in the Southern Mediterranean Sea, Saturday March 11, 2023.  (Christian Gohdes/Sea-Watch via AP) In this file photo, this image provided by German humanitarian organisation Sea-watch shows a boat carrying a group of migrants in distress in the Southern Mediterranean Sea, Saturday March 11, 2023. (Christian Gohdes/Sea-Watch via AP)
Share
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -

At least 14 people from the African nation of Cameroon were rescued from waters in the eastern Caribbean early Tuesday after their boat capsized, but three people were dead and 13 others missing, authorities on Antigua said.

The group had departed Antigua early Tuesday aboard a boat carrying 32 passengers that apparently was en route to the U.S. Virgin Islands when it sank near the island of St. Kitts, authorities said at a news conference. They said the group had been staying on the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, but left there a week ago for Antigua.

"My government has been making every effort to be helpful to these brothers and sisters from Africa who were marooned on Antigua, including by granting them residence and the opportunity to work," Antigua Prime Minister Gaston Browne said.

He said the Cameroonians apparently arrived in Antigua as tourists but intended to migrate to other countries. Browne said his administration has contacted the U.N. High Commission for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration for counsel on how to treat the survivors as refugees, adding that they are welcome in Antigua.

Cameroon has been rocked by conflict since English-speaking separatists in the Central African country launched a rebellion in 2017. More than 3,300 people have died in the conflict, which has displaced more than 750,000 others, according to the United Nations.

The boat was stolen in Antigua, and 16 people aboard it were rescued, including two Antiguans, officials said. The nationalities of those who died or missing were unknown, officials said.

Browne said authorities would investigate what he called an "unlawful and dreadful affair," including the involvement of local residents.

"All of the facts surrounding today's calamity are not yet known," he said.

The boat sank about 40 miles (60 kilometers) northwest of Antigua for unknown reasons, Col. Telbert Benjamin, chief of defense for Antigua and Barbuda's Defense Force, told the government's media outlet.

"The vessel went down in relatively deep water, and so recovery ... might be a bit of a challenge," Benjamin said.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

A team of tornado experts is heading to Fergus, Ont. after a storm ripped through the area Sunday night.

Why brain aging can vary dramatically between people

Researchers are uncovering deeper insights into how the human brain ages and what factors may be tied to healthier cognitive aging, including exercising, avoiding tobacco, speaking a second language or even playing a musical instrument.

Local Spotlight

For the second year in a row, the ‘Gift-a-Family’ campaign is hoping to make the holidays happier for children and families in need throughout Barrie.

Some of the most prolific photographers behind CTV Skywatch Pics of the Day use the medium for fun, therapy, and connection.

A young family from Codroy Valley, N.L., is happy to be on land and resting with their newborn daughter, Miley, after an overwhelming, yet exciting experience at sea.

As Connor Nijsse prepared to remove some old drywall during his garage renovation, he feared the worst.

A group of women in Chester, N.S., has been busy on the weekends making quilts – not for themselves, but for those in need.

A Vancouver artist whose streetside singing led to a chance encounter with one of the world's biggest musicians is encouraging aspiring performers to try their hand at busking.

Ten-thousand hand-knit poppies were taken from the Sanctuary Arts Centre and displayed on the fence surrounding the Dartmouth Cenotaph on Monday.

A Vancouver man is saying goodbye to his nine-to-five and embarking on a road trip from the Canadian Arctic to Antarctica.