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Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 24, 2019 (RSCNPF): The French Coast Guard rescued the M.V. Ocean King which sent an emergency distress signal on October 23, 2019 and handed the vessel over to the St. Kitts and Nevis Coast Guard as the closest port to the boat.  The St. Kitts and Nevis Coast Guard escorted the vessel to the pier at the Coast Guard base in Basseterre at about 9 p.m. There were thirty-five (35) persons – thirty-four (34) nationals believed to be from Haiti and one (1) believed to be from Dominica. One of the individuals is a juvenile. Four (4) persons were taken to the J.N.F. Hospital for treatment and observation, however, two of them have since been discharged and joined the others who are currently in custody. 

The Immigration Department is in the process of conducting interviews with the individuals to ascertain the details of their circumstances and to verify their port of embarkation, as well as the intended port of disembarkation.