Dominican Migrants Panicked on Journey...more than 40 people died

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Two women offered their breast milk to passengers. One who refused to share her milk was thrown overboard by male passengers, Santana said.

"One woman refused to give breast milk and the men aboard grabbed her from behind and threw her overboard," Santana said. "They told me to give milk and I said I couldn't."

It was unclear whether the women had babies with them on the voyage.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A56636-2004Aug11.html

By PETER PRENGAMAN
The Associated Press
Wednesday, August 11, 2004; 11:20 AM

NAGUA, Dominican Republic - A migrant lost at sea for nearly two weeks without food and water while trying to reach Puerto Rico said Wednesday more than 40 people died during the trip, and at least one woman who refused to give breast milk to passengers was thrown overboard into shark-infested waters.

A doctor also said the survivors told him some passengers resorted to cannibalism.

Many of the more than 75 people crammed into a 40-foot wooden boat started acting irrationally when provisions for the one-day trip ran out after three days, said Faustina Santana. She was one of 33 migrants found alive Tuesday near this small fishing village, not far from where the boat departed.

"A lot of people just jumped off," a sobbing Santana, 27, said from her hospital room. "They were going crazy."

The wary father of another passenger then entered the hospital room, showed Santana a picture of his son and asked if he was among those who jumped. She told him she did not know.

Survivors said at least 45 people died during the journey and two died Tuesday on the way to hospitals. Many of the migrants are being treated for dehydration, and many remain unconscious.

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Imagine us actually helping a country on this side of the planet. I am glad those Iraqi children can go to school though.x(

30% inflation, high unemployment and 100 miles away.....?