MAIB to investigate capsize tragedy in Caribbean
40 missing and 36 confirmed dead in immigrant vessel disaster


The MAIB announced today that they are conducting an investigation into the capsize of a Haitian sloop off Providenciales Island in the Caribbean.

The UK body was invited by the Turks and Caicos Islands Government and the investigation's purpose is to establish the causes and circumstances of the accident with a view to learning the lessons for safety for the future.

The sailing vessel was carrying 160 people when she capsized in in a storm last week but there are mixed reports on how she came to grief. Some say the vessel overturned as passengers panicked as the storm came on, but the US Coast Guard said that the were told the vessel had been intercepted and was under tow to the shore.

So far 40 people are said to be missing and thirty six have been confirmed as dead.

It is believed the people on the vessel had paid thousands of dollars for the trip to take them from Haiti to a new life in Maimi.

The vessel did not founder and is reported to be in a harbour and that the British team have already begun investigating her.