Mexico City  - A boat carrying scores of Haitians trying to flee their island capsized Monday off the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Local newspapers in the British overseas territory north of Haiti reported late Monday that US Coast Guard helicopters and ships were searching for survivors. About 70 survivors were reported to have scrambled onto a reef, with at least 40 of them evacuated by evening.

Four bodies had been recovered late Monday. Some reports had up to 200 people onboard the refugee boat when it overturned Monday afternoon.

The Turks and Caicos Sun reported that the vessel had set out from the port of Cap Haitienne with Haitians trying to flee the poorest country in Latin America. (dpa)