A wooden motorboat carrying 31 Dominican migrants trying to reach Puerto Rico struck a reef and capsized, killing four people, officials said Monday.

Twenty-seven survivors were rescued from waters off the Caribbean country's east coast, Dominican navy Capt. Carlos Rodriguez said.

Two of the survivors suspected of organizing the trip for profit were detained.

Dominicans seeking better jobs regularly attempt to cross the treacherous Mona Passage to wealthier Puerto Rico. Officials have detained more than 1,600 Dominicans in U.S. waters over the past 12 months.

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