Prime Minister Gaston Browne has said the government will launch a full investigation into the migrant boat accident, which resulted in at least three people losing their lives in waters between Antigua and Barbuda and St Kitts and Nevis. Photo: UN

In a statement last evening, Browne expressed “deep sorrow at the loss of life and distress suffered by persons aboard a vessel” that left Antigua in the early hours of Tuesday morning with 32 people, including two Antiguans, on board.

He said Antigua and Barbuda will not turn its back on the more than 600 West African migrants, who were left in the country, after being brought to the Caribbean as tourists between November 2022 and January 2023 by Antigua Airways.

“We will also uphold our international obligations against human trafficking and illegal migration by strengthening our domestic institutions and enhancing our cooperation with regional and hemispheric partners,” Browne said.

“In the meantime, my Government will also continue to offer refuge in Antigua and Barbuda to the survivors of today’s events, and we will make appropriate arrangements for the burial of the deceased. We will also make every effort to contact their relatives to advise them of this heartbreaking tragedy.”

Browne urged the remaining African migrants not to be fooled by the promises of human traffickers.

“We appeal to the Africans, who are in Antigua and Barbuda, not to be tempted into any schemes such as happened [yesterday], but to work with the Government, through our Immigration authorities, to help find acceptable solutions to their circumstances,” he said.

A multi-nation search is underway to find the at least 12 migrants who are missing at sea.