MIAMI — Coast Guard rescue crews have suspended their search efforts in locating two suspected Cuban migrants who disappeared during an illegal voyage to the United States Tuesday evening.
Coast Guard and partner agency rescue crews conducted a search for two people in the water after a good Samaritan contacted watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Miami and reported he found a man aboard a homemade vessel approximately seven miles southwest of Key Biscayne, Fla.
The man was transferred to a Miami-Dade Fire Rescue vessel and reported three other people possibly drowned after he lost contact with them during their journey through the Florida Straits.
He was later transported to Mercy Miami Hospital for further medical treatment.
During the search, a body was located in the water north of where the survivor was located and transported to the Miami-Dade Coroners office.
“We want to express our deepest condolences to the friends and families who lost loved ones in this tragic incident,” said Marilyn Fajardo, deputy public affairs officer.
Search-and-rescue crews searched 25 hours for a total of 1,491 square nautical miles in the effort to locate the two remaining men.
Assisted with the search were:
- boatcrews with Coast Guard Station Miami Beach, Fla.
- aircrews aboard MH-65 and HC-144 aircrafts with Coast Guard Air Station Miami
- Miami-Dade Fire Rescue surface assets
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
