UNITED NATIONS, July 20 (Xinhua) — At least 40 migrants have died and several others were injured after a boat they were traveling in caught fire off northern Haiti, according to a UN spokesman quoting the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Tragic Incident
Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, reported during a daily briefing that the boat, carrying over 80 people, departed from Labadee en route to the Turks and Caicos Islands, a 250-kilometer journey. The fire occurred off Cap Haïtien, resulting in the deaths of at least 40 migrants and injuries to several others.
Rescue Efforts
The Haitian Coast Guard rescued 41 surviving migrants, who are now receiving medical care, food, water, and psychosocial support provided by the IOM, in coordination with national authorities. Eleven of the rescued migrants, suffering from burns and other injuries, were taken to the nearest hospital for treatment.
Call for Safe Migration Pathways
Gregoire Goodstein, head of the IOM in Haiti, emphasized the need for safe and legal migration routes to prevent such tragedies. “This devastating event demonstrates the crucial need for safe and legal pathways for migration,” he said.
Wider Context
The IOM reports that more than 86,000 migrants have been forcibly returned to Haiti by neighboring countries this year alone. This tragic incident underscores the dangerous conditions migrants face and the urgent need for systemic solutions to ensure their safety.
Conclusion
The loss of 40 lives in this tragic boat fire off the coast of Haiti highlights the perilous journeys migrants undertake in search of better opportunities. It serves as a stark reminder of the need for international efforts to create safe, legal, and humane pathways for migration.
