Punta Cana — A sixth body was recovered on Saturday following the tragic shipwreck that occurred early Thursday off the coast of Playa Juanillo, in the Verón district of Punta Cana, authorities confirmed.
Officials told AFP that the deceased include three men, a woman, and a child—all reportedly of Dominican and Haitian nationality. The bodies were transferred to the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF) by the medical examiner, following standard procedures.
One of the victims was found with identification, though officials clarified that confirmation of identity falls under the jurisdiction of other agencies involved in the investigation after the recovery phase is complete.
Search Extended Amid Family Appeal
Despite standard search protocols allowing for a three-day window, authorities announced that operations would continue into Sunday after receiving a call from a family who believes a relative may have been on board the ill-fated vessel.
“Typically, our search efforts end on the third day,” said the provincial director of Civil Defense. “However, a family contacted us with credible concerns. It’s possible the body they’re seeking is among those found, but we cannot rule out that others may still be missing.”
The search zone now spans more than five kilometers in both directions from Cabo Engaño, extending beyond the presumed site of the capsizing. Dominican Navy vessels have remained stationed in the area since the beginning of the operation.
Sargassum Hampers Rescue Efforts
Rescue teams continue to face significant challenges due to dense accumulations of sargassum, which have complicated both aerial and underwater operations.
“Sargassum changes everything. From the air, all we see is a yellow blur. It’s almost impossible to distinguish anything underneath,” said one of the rescuers. He added that sea conditions have made it nearly impossible for divers to operate effectively.
Unclear Passenger Count Raises Concerns
Adding to the complexity of the search is the uncertainty surrounding how many people were on the vessel when it capsized. Survivors have given estimates ranging from 35 to 54 individuals, complicating efforts to determine how many may still be unaccounted for.
The 20-foot-long vessel was reportedly headed to Puerto Rico in what authorities have described as an illegal voyage before it capsized in the Caribbean Sea.
Investigations are ongoing as authorities work to confirm identities and determine the total number of people involved in the incident.
