At least 17 people from Haiti have died in a boat accident off the coast of The Bahamas, the government has said, writes BBC.

Bahamian PM Philip Davis said it is thought those on board were travelling from Haiti to Miami, Florida in the US. Police in The Bahamas said the boat capsized more than 11 km off the island of New Providence.

Another 25 people were rescued, including one woman who was found alive inside the overturned boat, authorities said. One child was among the dead. At least one person is still missing, with search missions underway.

Two people were taken into custody, both from The Bahamas, over the suspected human smuggling operation, officials said.