Boat sinks off Ecuador, 14 missing

One person survives and 14 are missing after a boat with suspected illegal immigrants sank in rough seas off northeastern Ecuador.

One person survived and 14 were missing after a boat with suspected illegal immigrants sank in rough seas off northeastern Ecuador, the navy has said.

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The survivor, Guido Guaman, said the boat sailed from Atacamas, in Esmeralda province, and was heading for a ship offshore when it was overturned by high waves, Admiral Milton Lalama said in a statement on Monday.

Guaman said he lost sight in the water of 14 other people who were with him on the boat, all presumed illegal immigrants heading for an undisclosed location, Lallama added.

Navy and coast guard vessels and one helicopter were searching for survivors, he said.