US had earlier reported a vessel suspected of illegally transporting migrants had been spotted capsized with numerous people floating without life jackets.
At least 11 people have died in a shipwreck off the coast of an uninhabited island near Puerto Rico, the US Coast Guard has said.
"As of 6 PM Thursday (2200 GMT), responding partner agency units have rescued 31 survivors, 11 female and 20 male. 11 deceased have been recovered," the US Coast Guard in a tweet on Thursday.
The agency had earlier reported that a vessel suspected of illegally transporting migrants had been spotted capsized with numerous people floating without life jackets.
#BREAKING @USCG, partner agencies are responding to an unidentified amount of people in the water approximately 12 miles north of Desecheo, #PR after their vessel capsized, Thursday, during a suspected illegal migrant voyage.
— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) May 12, 2022
More information to come. #SAR pic.twitter.com/j9u62DXPyG
"Coast Guard watchstanders directed the launch of multiple MH-60T helicopter from Air Station Borinquen and diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Tezanos to rescue possible survivors. Customs and Border Protection and Puerto Rico Police Joint Forces of Rapid Action marine units are also responding," the coast guard said in a statement.
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