Dominican officials are investigating the capsizing of an overloaded immigrant smuggling boat that left 17 people dead and another 20 or more missing off the Dominican Republic coast, authorities said. A rustic vessel with about 60 people aboard left Saturday from the coast of Nagua, 130 miles (210 km) north-east of Santo Domingo, bound for the neighbouring island of Puerto Rico, and capsized in the Bay of Samana, Dominican Republic naval officials said.
Dominican authorities said 18 passengers were rescued and were admitted to a medical centre with injuries. "We are still investigating the cause of this tragedy," said Director of Civil Defence General Luis Luna Paulino. Five survivors still were being treated on Monday and one woman was reported to be in serious condition, said local authorities.
Dominican Navy vessels searched the area for survivors during the weekend. The US Coast Guard sent three helicopters and a cutter to the shipwreck area on Saturday afternoon at the request of Dominican authorities, Coast Guard spokesman Ricardo Castrodad said. "They did locate a couple of bodies that were recovered by Dominican Republic authorities," Castrodad said. On Sunday afternoon, the Dominicans notified US officials that their assistance was no longer needed.