The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX) informed Senegal and other African countries about the discovery of 14 male skeletons that were found yesterday on the coast of the Espaillat province.
He said that documents were found on the boat indicating that the deceased were from the African continent and that various State agencies are investigating the case.
He Public ministry In Moca, Espaillat province, together with the Dominican Navy, the National Directorate of Drug Control, the Police, Civil Defense and other agencies, they are expanding their investigations.
Prosecutor Yorelbin Rivas said investigations continue into the discovery that has shocked residents of the community.
Twelve packages of suspected cocaine, several Senegalese identity documents, 50 cell phones, a satellite phone, a GPS and 40 backpacks were found next to the remains.
The bodies were transferred to the National Institute of Forensic Sciences in order to determine the exact causes of death and the time they remained adrift on board the vessel.
Navy
The Dominican Navy reported today that it is continuing to investigate further details regarding the discovery of 14 skeletons adrift on the northern coast, in a clandestine vessel from Senegal.
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He explained that intelligence agencies are trying to establish the reasons that led to them being dragged into the maritime space of the Dominican Republic.
They indicated that naval units went to the area after receiving a notice from a local fisherman from Río San Juan, María Trinidad Sánchez province, who reported a boat of unknown manufacture and origin approximately 10 nautical miles from the coast of that demarcation.
The Navy explained that there were 14 human remains on board the ship, and therefore began an investigation process to determine the identity of the remains and the circumstances of their presence on the ship. The relevant authorities are working diligently to clarify this case.
The Dominican Navy reaffirms its commitment to maritime safety and its collaboration with the Public Prosecutor’s Office in the investigation of this type of incident. More details will be provided as the investigation progresses.
Civil defense
The representative of Civil Defense in Espaillat, Victor Alfonso Vazquez, reported that the boat with the bodies on the coast of Villa Magante, Espaillat province, was discovered after a call around 1:30 in the afternoon on Tuesday.
Vázquez explained that after receiving the call about the adrift boat, a team was mobilized from Moca, along with reinforcements from María Trinidad Sánchez and Puerto Plata, in addition to local teams from Villa Magante and Gaspar Hernández.
He said that with the collaboration of the medical examiner, the bodies were removed, 13 of which were adults and one was a minor.
By Estarlin Canelo, Enrique Vargas and Narciso Perez
