Only four of the 11 victims of the recent Abaco human smuggling tragedy have been identified, according to Haitian Ambassador to The Bahamas Antonio Rodrigue.
Rodrigue said yesterday the four victims identified were children. He thinks the families of other victims have not come forward because they fear authorities would arrest them.
The ambassador traveled to Abaco on the weekend where he met with families of survivors of the mass drowning in Abaco waters last Sunday night.
Officials said seven people survived and another 10 were still unaccounted for.
It is believed the Haitians were trying to make it to the United States after leaving Abaco when the vessel they were on, 'Cozy Time', capsized.
Rodrigue told The Nassau Guardian that some relatives of the victims have gone into hiding because police have been coming to their homes as a part of the probe into the smuggling operation.
He also said he received reports that other survivors are in hiding and are refusing to seek medical attention because they fear they may be arrested.
"People are afraid of the police," Rodrigue said. "Police officers are looking for people crying or mourning. When they hear people grieving they come to the house asking questions and sometimes they even arrest people."
The ambassador said he raised this issue with Superintendent Noel Curry, the police officer in charge of Abaco.
"The other problem also that I raised with him is the fact that we don't know how many people survived," Rodrigue said.
"The bodies haven't been recovered and maybe the same way those seven swam and got to the land [others did]. But because of the fear of being arrested no one has come forward to say 'I have been on the boat and I survived'."
Police reported last week that only one survivor had come forward and was assisting in their investigation into the matter.
Police also reported on Friday that they arrested five men in connection with the incident, three at Potter's Cay Dock in Nassau and two in Abaco.
After releasing a wanted poster for Alphonse Edner, alias "Capo", police said yesterday they had the 43-year-old Treasure Cay resident in custody.
Rodrique told The Nassau Guardian, "There are people who it looks have been wounded among the survivors, but they are afraid to go to get medical care. Most of those who have survived have gone into hiding.
"It is very serious and the reason why I went to the police chief. He said the police want to get information regarding this; that's why they are investigating and questioning people, but when people see police coming over there and knocking on their doors and some have been arrested, no one wants to stay there.
"They cannot get medical care and they may end up dying. I think police need to know about the operation but they need to take that into account."
Rodrique said he also expressed these concerns to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Patricia Rodgers.
The ambassador said he expressed condolences to the families on behalf of the Haitian president and prime minister.
He said he told the Haitian people that the embassy is with them but discouraged smuggling attempts.
Asked whether he was able to determine whether any additional smuggling operations are being planned, Rodrigue said, "They're not going to say that and I think after what happened it is going to be some time before people get back to that. This is a shock for the entire community. They are still in shock.
"You feel there is that sadness among those people living in Abaco, especially regarding those nine kids who died.
"It was sad, but a good visit; good in the sense where the people over there feel the embassy is with them, is assisting them."
The ambassador said funeral arrangements for the victims will be finalized this week.

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