Haiti crossing death toll rises

Version 0 of 1.

The bodies of 54 Haitian migrants have been recovered after their boat capsized in shark-infested waters near the Turks and Caicos Islands.

At least 73 of the 150 people believed to have been on board on the boat have been rescued.

The incident occurred on Friday at 0420 (0920 GMT) about half a mile (0.8km) south of Providenciales Island, a Coast Guard in Miami spokesman said.

Several of the victims appeared to have been bitten by sharks, officials said.

A police boat from the islands, north of Haiti, was trying to tow the sinking boat to port when it capsized.

Sixty-three people were immediately picked up by the police vessel and taken to South Dock on Providenciales.

Ten others were later saved by the police after a US Coast Guard helicopter spotted them clinging to the 25ft sail freighter's hull.

The Turks and Caicos Islands, a British overseas territory, is located to the north of Haiti and south-east of the Bahamas.

The number of Haitian migrants attempting the dangerous crossings to the US or to other Caribbean islands has increased in recent months.

Some 909 Haitians have been caught by the US Coast Guard since January, officials say.