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In a tragic incident off the coast of northern Haiti, at least 40 migrants lost their lives, and several others sustained injuries after their boat caught fire.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) provided the details of this devastating event, which highlights the perilous journeys undertaken by migrants seeking better opportunities.
Two days prior to the incident, a boat carrying over 80 people departed from Labadee, Haiti, heading towards the Turks and Caicos Islands, a journey of approximately 250 kilometers.
Flames engulfed the boat near Cap Haïtien, causing significant casualties.
Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, conveyed the information during a daily briefing.
The Haitian Coast Guard responded swiftly, rescuing 41 surviving migrants from the burning vessel.
The survivors are currently receiving medical care, food, water, and psychosocial support from the IOM, working in conjunction with national authorities.
Authorities have hospitalized 11 of the injured migrants, with some suffering from severe burns.
Gregoire Goodstein, the head of the IOM in Haiti, emphasized the urgent need for safe and legal migration pathways to prevent such tragedies.
This incident however is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by migrants who undertake hazardous journeys in search of a better life.
Migrant Crisis In Haiti
The IOM reports that neighboring countries have forcibly returned over 86,000 migrants to Haiti this year alone.
This incident underscores the broader humanitarian crisis affecting migrants in the region and the critical need for comprehensive solutions to address their plight.
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