Four migrants were rescued Monday in the waters south of Virgin Gorda after their vessel capsized, but 15 more people are still missing, according to a United States Coast Guard press release issued Thursday night.
The rescuees — two from Cuba and two from St. Maarten — were then taken to Virgin Gorda and transferred to Virgin Islands authorities.
The vessel, which was carrying 15 Cubans, one Colombian, a Dominican Republic national, and two people from St. Maarten, reportedly started taking on water and capsized late Sunday evening or early Monday morning.
According to one of the survivors, the boat departed from St. Maarten on Saturday night, and was heading towards St. Thomas.
The USCG is actively searching the waters between the VI and St. Maarten looking for survivors.
The Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard and VI Search and Rescue units are also assisting with search efforts.
VI authorities have not released any information about the incident, and attempts on Friday to contact Chief Immigration Officer Ian Penn and police were not immediately successful.
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