PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI – A fatal incident unfolded off Haiti’s coast when a boat fire resulted in at least 40 deaths, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), citing local authorities on Friday. The boat, carrying more than 80 migrants, was en route to Turks and Caicos from Haiti, departing on Wednesday.
Haiti’s coast guard reportedly managed to rescue 41 survivors from the disaster. In a statement from IOM’s chief of mission in Haiti, Grégoire Goodstein, the catastrophe was ascribed to the escalating security crisis in Haiti as well as the lack of legal migration pathways.
He noted the enduring socio-economic issues facing Haiti would lead to more desperate measures. Gang violence, a failing health system, and a lack of access to essential commodities have driven many Haitians to undertake perilous journeys abroad.
The crisis has further deepened following an upsurge in gang warfare earlier this year, catalyzing the government’s resignation. Data from the IOM depict a consistent rise in the number of boat migration attempts from Haiti.
Despite the waves of chaos and instability, neighboring countries continue to enforce forced repatriation of Haitian migrants, with over 86,000 forcibly returned this year. In March alone, there were 13,000 forced returns.
Some positive strides have been made with the appointment of Prime Minister Garry Conille and the deployment of foreign forces to support Haiti’s National Police. Port-au-Prince is set to see the commencement of operations of the United Nations Security Council-backed Multinational Security Support mission.