Tragedy at Sea: 3 Dead, Dozens Missing on Haitian Boat

At least three people died and 40 others remain missing after a boat caught fire off northern Haiti with 80 Haitians aboard. The fire likely started when gasoline ignited. Rescued passengers were taken to the hospital, while Haitian police are searching for the organizers of the clandestine trip.

At least three people died, and up to 40 others are missing after a boat off northern Haiti caught fire. The vessel had up to 80 Haitians trying to escape to the Turks and Caicos Islands, a government official reported.

Civil Protection official Jean Henry-Petit confirmed on Friday that 41 people were rescued by the Haitian coast guard. Among the deceased was the boat's captain, per Arnold Jean, a spokesperson for the police in Cap-Haïtien. Eleven migrants received treatment at the nearest hospital, according to the U.N. National Office for Migration.

The fire likely ignited from two drums of gasoline, Henry-Petit explained. Witnesses mentioned passengers were consuming rum and whiskey, possibly contacting the flammable substance. Additionally, candles carried for a voodoo ritual could have contributed to the blaze. The migrants aimed to reach Providenciales, an island in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Haitian police announced they are investigating and searching for the trip's organizers, following the tragedy amidst ongoing violence and political instability in Haiti. According to the UN, almost 580,000 people have been displaced in the country, and over 86,000 migrants were forcibly returned this year. The Haitian Coast Guard and other national coast guards have noted a rise in escape attempts by boat from Haiti.

''Haiti's socio-economic situation is dire,'' remarked Grégoire Goodstein, IOM's Haiti chief of mission. ''The extreme violence in recent months has driven Haitians to even more desperate measures.''