Dominican Navy rescues 8, 15 missing as boat capsizes

San Pedro, Dominican Republic.- TheDominican Navy searches the Caribbean waters 25 miles south of Caucedo, where amakeshift boat capsized with at least 23 people on board, and rescued eight,six of them taken to a San Pedro hospital in critical condition.

Navy spokesman Arcenio Mardonado saidthe other two are being questioned by Naval Intelligence.

The rescued, who hail fromvarious provinces, had all sustained burns and severe dehydration.

It said the boatpeople had setcourse for Puerto Rico from Guayacanes beach in Juan Dolio last Thursday night.

He said the yola-type boat was captainedby “Chichi,” who reportedly died in the mishap.