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SMUGGLING OFF FLORIDA COAST TURNS DEADLY
An effort to smuggle over 40 Haitians into the U.S. has turned into one of the most deadly smuggling attempts in South Florida’s history. Crewmembers of a shipping freighter reported hearing screams for help about 30 miles east of Palm Beach. When the Coast Guard arrived, there were only three survivors. After almost a full day of searching, only two bodies were recovered, and all others missing are presumed dead.
The three survivors were all in good condition and were treated at local hospitals and then released into INS custody. One of the survivors, who also told the Coast Guard that there were two boats carrying over 40 people, denied the involvement of smugglers in the crossing attempt. However, later events cast suspicion on the credibility of his story. One of the other survivors said there were only four people on board the boat, and the brother of the one who told the Coast Guard the story, who lives in Florida, says his brother lied about everything, including his name. The Coast Guard has not officially revised the number of deaths, but is investigating whether the number was exaggerated.
Trends in1999 point to a continued increase in the number of attempts by Cubans and Haitians to cross the Florida Straits. Whereas in 1997, 406 Cubans and 587 Haitians were picked up at sea, in 1998 the numbers were 1,025 Cubans and 1,206 Haitians. As of early March 1999, the numbers were 112 Cubans and 258 Haitians.