Four Killed, 11 Rescued After Migrant Boat Capsizes Seven Miles From Downtown Miami

[Mika]

Four Killed, 11 Rescued After Migrant Boat Capsizes Seven Miles From Downtown Miami

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The call came in around 1 o'clock this morning, routed from 911 dispatchers to the U.S. Coast Guard: A boat had capsized a few miles from Government Cut. When the rescue boats and helicopter arrived, they found an overturned craft bobbing in the sea with survivors barely clinging to the hull. The Coast Guard saved 11 people from the vessel, which was carrying immigrants from Haiti and Jamaica, but four other passengers died.
"We're continuing our search," Petty Officer Sabrina Laberdesque tells Riptide. "It's possible there are more people out there."

After the boat capsized about seven miles from Government Cut, the Coast Guard dispatched vessels from Miami and Fort Lauderdale as well as a helicopter from Opa-locka to search for survivors.

At least one man has been taken to Mount Sinai Medical Center, the Miami Herald reports, while others are in Coast Guard custody.

More ... http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2013/10/four_killed_11_rescued_after_m.php



If the survivors were Cubans they'd be released within 24 hours onto the streets of Miami, and given a full slate of special perks just for Cubans, but, seeing as these are not Cubans, they'll be deported back to the "democratic" Caribbean paradises they fled from.

[Judi Lynn]

1. You're so right. What a shame.

Haitians themselves have never been given even a moment of respect from this government, although their living conditions have been imperiled by grotesque US-supported brutality from the Duvaliers, like Nicaragua's Somosas, the nightmarish TonTon Macoutes, some of whom became the US-supported "rebels" against Aristide, and the US simply turns a blind eye on them.

Haitians, after all, had the audacity to seek freedom from their French "owners" and apparently they still need to be taught their lesson not to shun white domination.

Lucky for many Haitians, Cuba has given them refuge, an enormous Haitian-Cuban community, preserving their own language, even having their own radio station.

The US will NEVER seem civilized until it treats Haitians with the respect it gives to Cuban economic immigrants.

[Bacchus4.0]

4. they should have migrated to Cuba then

If the US had the same policy as for Cubans, Haiti would empty out completely and come to the US. The Cuba policy will change once the Cuban dinosaur leadership goes extinct and the country moves into at least the 1960s.

[Mika]

5. I agree with your tacit admission that it is US policy that attracts Cubans...

... as it would others.

Thank you.

[Bacchus4.0]

6. its the economic opportunity that attracts immigrants

from all over the Americas and Asia and elsewhere. Its not illegal for people to leave their countries like it is Cuba. If Cuba let people leave freely the US would have to change policy or be inundated with Cubans wanting to leave.

[Judi Lynn]

7. Why doesn't the US "let people leave freely" to go to Cuba? n/t

[Turbineguy]

2. We rescued 6 Cubans once.

They came from Cuba on truck innertubes. They were barely alive and started out with 12. They'd been drinking seawater. We turned them over to the USCG.

When you pull people out of the ocean, it really doesn't matter where they are from. I told one, "You're alright, you're in America now." He smiled and passed out.

Because of the currents there, it's possible to wave at people frolicking on the beach before the Gulf Stream takes you toward Europe. No one has survived that as far as I know.

[darkangel218]

3. Damn.. how fucking sad :(