The rescue operation launched by the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force on Tuesday (March 28) after a boat tragedy off the coast of St Kitts has been shifted to recovery operations.

According to Antigua and Barbuda government portal, 16 people including two Antiguans were rescued, three bodies have been recovered and 13 persons are still missing.

Chief Defence of Staff, Colonel Telbert Benjamin announced on Wednesday evening that the rescue operations have now been shifted to recovery.

The search operation was a joint effort between the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre from Martinique and St Kitts and Nevis Defence Force.

A boat that was transporting two Antiguans and 30 Africans capsized 19 kilometres south of St Kitts’ Conaree Village, leaving Antigua some 65 miles (105 km) to the east.

Gaston Browne, Antigua and Barbuda on Tuesday promised a full investigation into the illegal transportation of the Africans that led to Tuesday’s tragedy.

The Africans were living in Antigua for the past few months after arriving on a chartered flight. According to recent reports, Africans who were said to be from Cameroon were heading to the U.S. in seek of a better life due to an uptick in violence in their country.