Rescuing migrants
WebPosted Aug 31 1999 12:45 PM PDT
VANCOUVER - What started out as an
immigration investigation has turned into a search and rescue
operation off the West Coast of Vancouver Island. RCMP and the
Canadian Coast Guard will attempt to get as many of the 180
migrants off a vessel that was headed for Gold River.
The condition of the vessel carrying the illegal migrants
has deteriorated to the point that safety is now the main
concern. Coast Guard Lieutenant David McKinnon says the ship
is not seaworthy. He says, "Because the vessel is not
considered seaworthy to transfer all the migrants and crew off
of the vessel, the vessel is currently enroute to Gold River
where everyone will be met by Citizenship and Immigration
Canada. (Those officials) will determine how everyone will be
dealt with."
Environment Canada says the weather off the coast of Gold
River will be mixed today with no serious storms or rain
anticipated. That should help any rescue operation.
This is the third vessel carrying illegal migrants to hit
the coast of B.C. this summer.
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