Turks and Caicos Islands emergency services are responding to an incident at Providenciales this morning, Wednesday, 25 December 2013.
A sloop believed to be carrying suspected illegal immigrants was intercepted by the Marine Branch of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) at 3.21am. The vessel capsized as it was being towed into dock by the RTCIPF to offload the suspects at South Dock at 5.17am.
Thirty two people have been confirmed as having been rescued from the water and who are now in custody at the TCI Government’s Five Cays immigration detention/removal Centre.
The RTCIPF have recovered 18 bodies, two from the initial incident and a further 16 with the assistance of divers. The search efforts are expanding in the area to locate any additional bodies. A US Coast Guard helicopter has been scrambled to assist the TCI authorities in locating any additional bodies.
Police are still searching for the handful of people who reached shore and fled the scene, and their investigations into the incident continue.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Governor, Premier and Ministers are aware of the situation.
Further information will be provided as facts and new information are confirmed.
