The authorities in the Dominican Republic say twenty people have been rescued after a boat carrying illegal emigrants to Puerto Rico sank on Sunday.

It's feared another twenty-five people died in the attempt to leave the Dominican Republic.

So far, nine bodies have been found.

Dominican officials said three of the survivors had been detained on suspicion of people-smuggling.

Correspondents say there is a steady flow of Dominicans trying to cross the narrow stretch of sea and enter Puerto Rico illegally.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service