(Eyewitness News) NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Survivors of the boat tragedy that left at least 17 people dead yesterday said they paid between $3,000 and $8,000 to make the journey from The Bahamas to another destination, Immigration Minister Keith Bell said yesterday.
Bell said survivors were interviewed at the Carmichael Road Detention Center where at least 20 of them were taken in the hours after the worst migrant boating tragedy since 2019 when at least 27 Haitians died off Abaco.
His comment came as officials pledged during a press conference to bring down the hammer on those responsible for the suspected human smuggling incident.
Prime Minister Philip Davis said 15 of the dead were women, one was a man and one was a girl toddler.
It is believed that the vessel capsized in rough seas.
Twenty-five people were rescued, including two Bahamian men known to police who are assisting officers with their investigation.