Jamaican News

US Coast Guard searches off Puerto Rico after reports that migrants fell off vessel

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico _ A report that migrants may have fallen off an overloaded boat off the northern coast of Puerto Rico has prompted a search of the area by the U.S. Coast Guard and island police.

Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Ryan Doss says authorities were using boats and aircraft to search along the coast near the central town of Camuy but had not found anyone.

The search began early Friday a 30-foot migrant vessel made to it to shore and some of those on board said as many as 20 people had fallen overboard as the vessel approached the shore of the U.S. island territory.

Customs and Border Patrol spokesman Jeffrey Quinones said authorities had detained 12 migrants from the Dominican Republic.

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