The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has not yet been able to confirm the identities of the Jamaicans reported to have been on a boat which capsized off the cost of Florida on Wednesday.

The Associated Press says four women died and 10 other people were taken into custody after a boat with more than a dozen people aboard capsized.

It says the passengers included Haitian and Jamaican nationals.

be processed

The US Coast Guard is reportedly working with Customs and Border Protection to identify the survivors.

The authorities will also decide whether they will be processed in the US or sent back to their native countries.

And, Jamaica's foreign affairs ministry says its Consulate General Office in Miami has made contact with the relevant authorities following the news report.

However, it says it is still not in a position to confirm the identities of the persons on the boat, as the Consulate General's office is still awaiting information.