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10 Dead After Smuggler's Boat Capsizes Off Fla.

Coast Guard slams 'callous' smugglers after migrants drown

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted May 14, 2009 6:03 AM CDT

(Newser) – At least 10 people died when an overloaded boat authorities believe was being used to smuggle Haitian migrants into the US capsized off the coast of Florida yesterday, CNN reports. The Coast Guard—which launched a massive search-and-rescue operation after a pleasure boat spotted survivors in the water—saved 16 people and believes several others may still be missing.

"It was way overloaded, completely unsafe," a Coast Guard commander said. "With smugglers, you have the potential for this because smugglers aren't interested in people's welfare. They're interested in making money."

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A US Coast Guard vessel with a survivor and several bodies from a boat sinking heads to a dock in Phil Foster Park in Riviera Beach, Fla., yesterday. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Fire Rescue personnel, right, prepare to unload a body from a US Coast Guard vessel in Riviera Beach, Fla. yesterday. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

A survivor is helped off by US Coast Guard personnel as the vessel pulls up to a dock yesterday. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

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It's a tragedy that someone would be so callous with human life. - Coast Guard Capt. Jim Fitton

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10 Dead After Smuggler's Boat Capsizes Off Fla.