At least 11 people dead after boat capsize off coast of Puerto Rico

At least 11 people are dead and dozens were rescued after a boat capsized on Thursday off the coast of Puerto Rico.

The U.S. Coast Guard said in a statement, that the vessel, which was suspected of taking part in an illegal voyage overturned.

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection aircraft



spotted the capsized vessel and people in the water about 11 miles north of Desecheo Island.

The Coast Guard launched multiple helicopters from Air Station Borinquen and diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Tezanos as part of the rescue operation.