Boat carrying migrants capsizes near St. Kitts
In a tragic incident, a boat carrying 32 passengers from Cameroon sank near St. Kitts in the Eastern Caribbean. The group of Cameroonians had departed from Antigua and was en route to the US Virgin Islands when the boat capsized. At least 14 Cameroonians were rescued, while three died, and 13 others are reported missing.
Cameroonians intended to migrate to other countries
The group had been staying on the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe but left a week ago for Antigua intending to migrate to other countries. The UN High Commission for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration have been contacted for counsel on how to treat the survivors as refugees.
Antigua Prime Minister grants residence and opportunity to work
Antigua Prime Minister Gaston Browne said his administration has granted residence and opportunities to work for the survivors who arrived in Antigua as tourists but intended to migrate to other countries. However, it is unclear how their migration plans will change after this tragic incident.
Conflict in Cameroon
Cameroon has been rocked by conflict since English-speaking separatists in the Central African country launched a rebellion in 2017. According to the United Nations, more than 3,300 people have died in the conflict, which has displaced more than 750,000 others.
Investigation into the accident
Authorities will investigate what Prime Minister Browne called an “unlawful and dreadful affair,” including the involvement of local residents. The boat was stolen in Antigua and local residents might have been involved. However, it is unknown why the boat sank about 40 miles northwest of Antigua.
This tragedy highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis that is happening in Cameroon and the desperate measures taken by its people to seek refuge in other countries. It is imperative that world leaders and organizations work together to address the root causes of the conflict and provide aid to those who have been affected by it.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
