At least 11 people drowned and up to 10 others, including five children, were unaccounted for after a small boat packed with Haitian migrantsseeking to enter the United States illegally capsized off theBahamas, authorities said on Tuesday.
Haitian President Michel Martellyvoiced " consternation " over news of the sinking in a statement issued in Port - au - Prince, saying ۲۸ " illegal Haitian travelers " had been crowded aboard the ۲۵ - foot(۷.۶ meter) boat when it sank in rough seas off North Abaco island in the Bahamas.
The boat, a Bahamian vessel called the " Glory Time, " capsized on Sunday, shortly after setting out from the island en route to Florida.
Martelly said seven people had been rescued while ۱۱ bodies were recovered and ۱۰ people were still officially listed as missing.
A spokesman for theRoyal Bahamas Police Forcecould not be reached for immediate comment on continuing search and rescue efforts, but Martelly said the missing included five children.
Haiti is the poorest nation in the Americas and there is a long and tragic history of people drowning while trying to escape its crushing poverty in rickety boats headed for the United States.
