Four migrants have died and around 20 remain missing after their boat capsized off the coast of the Dominican Republic, authorities confirmed on Friday.
Rescue teams saved 17 people from the vessel, which was carrying approximately 40 passengers and en route to Puerto Rico, a territory of the United States, according to the Dominican Civil Defence authority.
The Dominican Navy stated that it had rescued 10 Dominican nationals and seven Haitians. A child was among those pulled from the water alive.
The vessel was a “yola”—a type of wooden or fibreglass boat commonly used by migrants. Authorities noted that such boats do not meet safety standards.
Migrants often pay up to $7,000 for a one-way journey to Puerto Rico from the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with neighbouring Haiti, a country currently facing severe political and economic instability.
Illegal migration to Puerto Rico from the Dominican Republic has increased steadily over the past decade.