(EFE).- At least five people have died and another twelve remain missing after the sinking of a precarious boat in the surroundings of Cayo Cruz del Padre (Matanzas) that was heading to the United States, according to reported this Friday official media.
The official local television Yumurí TV indicated that the other eleven occupants of the boat were rescued alive by the Border Guard Troops.
The event occurred this Tuesday morning due to strong waves, according to the outlet and also confirmed some publications on social networks.
The occupants of the boat then notified the emergency services, which sent two coast guard patrols.
“All those involved in the incident reside in Cárdenas and left the country illegally on January 23 through Torrontela, a point on the Cárdenas coast.”
The authorities reported that the rescue work continues in the area where the shipwreck occurred despite the adverse weather conditions in the area, due to the arrival of a cold front.
“All those involved in the incident reside in Cárdenas and left the country illegally on January 23 through Torrontela, a point on the Cárdenas coast, with the purpose of reaching United States territory, exposing themselves to a risky journey,” picked up Yumuri TV.
Hundreds of Cubans have thrown into the sea in recent days to try to reach the US in the context of one of the largest waves of migration in decades. So far this month some 1,200 Cubans have been deported.
At the beginning of January, the US Government announced a radical change in its immigration policy for Cubans, after in 2022 more than 313,000 citizens of that country arrived at its southern border.
Political repression, but above all the severe economic crisis that the island has been suffering for more than two years – with shortages and high inflation – have led many Cubans to leave the country.
________________________
Collaborate with our work:
The team of 14ymedio He is committed to doing serious journalism that reflects the reality of deep Cuba. Thank you for accompanying us on this long road. We invite you to continue supporting us, but this time becoming a member of our newspaper. Together we can continue transforming journalism in Cuba.
