15318: Chamberlain: (Chamberlain) Four die, dozens missing as Haitian boat capsizes (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

     SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, April 15 (Reuters) - Four Haitians
died and dozens were missing after a boat carrying more than 150 migrants
capsized off the north coast of the Dominican Republic, the Dominican Navy
said on Tuesday.
     Navy officials said the boat capsized late on Monday or early Tuesday
at Cayo Arena near Montecristi on the northwest coast. Officials said they
believe the group was heading for Miami.
     The U.S. Coast Guard said it was told the boat hit a reef about 3
miles (5 km) off the shore. A Coast Guard helicopter and ship joined the
search for survivors.
     Dominican authorities said the bodies of four Haitian migrants were
found on the beach, while 112 others were rescued and taken to hospitals.
     The Dominican Republic and Haiti share the Caribbean island of
Hispaniola. Haitians frequently leave their impoverished homeland in small
boats for the 600-mile (965-km) passage to Florida in search of a better
life in the United States.
     The U.S. Coast Guard said they had received a report that a a passing
boat rescued some of the Haitians.
     "The report said about 25 were in the water because they struck a
reef," U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Carleen Drummond said in Miami. "A
good Samaritan rescued some people from the water."