A joint rescue operation at sea has been conducted since Sunday evening in the Department of Grand Anse by the Haitian emergency services with the support of US Coast Guard. Teams are deployed to rescue more than 50 fishermen in difficulty off the southern peninsula, southwestern tip of the country, due to a very rough sea.

The regional search and rescue system has been activated for several hours after a series of distress calls received early Sunday evening by the regional Red Cross of Grand Anse. A group of fishermen stranded on the island of Navase, located sixty kilometers of the Irois, and a second group was in trouble between Anse Hainault and the Irois.

The coastguards of the Haitian National Police, the Maritime and Navigation Service of Haiti, the Haitian Red Cross and the Civil Protection are mobilized and supported by American coast guards who have deployed their resources, including a frigate, for search and rescue actions. An aircraft also provides air support by flying over the zone concerned.

HL/ HaitiLibre