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Haitian migrant boat sinks near The Bahamas; 11 feared dead
Monday, June 11, 2012
Abaco has a population of about 13,000 people. The Abaco islands are about 290 kilometers (180 miles) east of Florida. Hundreds of Haitians have been living in a couple of overcrowded shantytowns called Pigeon Pea and “The Mud” on Abaco, near Marsh Harbor, for years despite repeated government threats to evict them. The community is a mix of permanent residents, naturalized citizens and migrants.
The Bahamas lies more than 600 kilometers (375 miles) northeast of Haiti. Haitian migrants arrive into the Bahamas illegally by boat, paying roughly US$500 for the perilous journey.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press
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