NASSAU, The Bahamas — The United States issued a warning to citizens against renting or using “jet skis” while in The Bahamas after multiple reported injuries and rapes.
The security alert, published Wednesday, comes after two reported rapes of American women in the last month and three more in 2024, according to the U.S. Embassy.
“Women victims reported that male “jet skis” operators picked them up from downtown Nassau and Paradise Island beaches,” the warning said. “The victims said they were raped and assaulted on isolated islands near New Providence.”
An unspecified number of sexual assaults on American women have also been reported, according to the U.S. Embassy.
Four people were hospitalized with injuries from “jet skis” accidents in the last six months and two of them needed to be evacuated to the U.S. for treatment.
U.S. government employees working in The Bahamas are no longer allowed to rent or use “jet skis” because of the “security risks.”
The U.S. Embassy suggests American visitors heed the warning and follow these tips:
The warning was issued weeks after the U.S. State Department issued an updated list of its current travel advisories, including The Bahamas.
The updated list raised the popular vacation destination to a level 2, meaning travelers should “exercise increased caution.”
The advisory was updated due to concerns with rising crime and water-related risks, according to the State Department.
It warned about violent crime, unsafe boating practices, swimming-related risk and firearm laws. The advisory notes that most crime occurs in Nassau and Freeport, specifically highlighting the “Over the Hill” area in Nassau. The advisory now includes mention of the reported rapes and sexual assaults in the area.
“Stay alert in the ‘Over the Hill’ area in Nassau, south of Shirley Street, where gangs have killed residents,” the advisory reads.
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