Two Bahamians Arrested for Alleged Human Smuggling

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Two Bahamian men have been arrested for alleged human smuggling, after 17 people died when the vessel they were traveling on capsized off New Providence, Sunday morning.

Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander confirmed the arrests during an emergency press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister hours after the tragic accident.

Police say the men, ages 39 and 48, were rescued from their gray 30-foot Mako Cuddy Cabin vessel, when it capsized with approximately 60 people on board, 2.5 miles northwest of the Harbour Channel near Blackbeard’s Cay.

Reports are the vessel left the area west of Fish Fry on New Providence shortly after 1am, believed to be en route to Grand Bahama. Police were notified that a vessel had capsized and was in urgent need of assistance.

Twenty-five people were rescued from the waters, including 18 men and five females. Police have confirmed that 17 people – 15 women, one man and a young girl – died during the incident.

“US Coast Guard conducted an aerial search of the area, while members of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force’s dive team conducted underwater searches in an effort to locate survivors,” police reports state.

Searches continue Sunday evening, by Operation Bahamas, Americans, Turks & Caicos (OPBAT) for additional survivors.