US Coast Guard detains 396 Haitian migrants, Bahamas government says

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US Coast Guard intercepted a ship carrying 396 irregular migrants near the Bahamas, officials from the island nation announced.

The migrants were detained near Cay Sal, an island in the western Bahamas between Florida and Cuba. The US Coast Guard did not immediately have comment on the apprehensions.

Waves of Haitian migrants have been leaving the country amid rampant poverty, gang violence and flagging governance.

"Through its law enforcement agencies and international partners, The Bahamas Government continues to work assiduously and continuously to address the irregular migrant problem," the Bahamian government said in a statement.

The migrants are being transported to a facility on the island of Inagua for processing, and will be repatriated back to Haiti, Nassau said.