SAN JUAN, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Coast Guard crews searched the north coast of Puerto Rico Friday for those missing in the capsizing of a refugee boat from the Dominican Republic.
The Coast Guard in San Juan said eight are confirmed dead and 83 have been rescued. It is not known how many are still missing.
The 40-foot vessel tried an illegal entry in rough waters at a rocky point off Puerto Rico as a Coast Guard Falcon jet on routine patrol watched.
The vessel, known as a yola, spilled its passengers into the six-foot seas and the jet immediately deployed a life raft.
The Coast Guard sent two cutters, three rescue boats and three helicopters to the scene and were assisted by vessels from other agencies.
The Coast Guard has repatriated more than 360 Dominican migrants in the last two months.
"Tragedies like this are a shame because they could have been prevented," said Capt. Douglas Rudolph, San Juan Coast Guard commander.
