3 people rescued, 20 missing after migrant boat sinks off Florida during Hurricane Ian, officials say – CBS News
In the hurricane-churned waters near Key West, the Coast Guard rescued three migrants. Twenty others remain missing after their boat sank Wednesday morning, officials said.
The Coast Guard pulled three migrants from the water two miles south of Boca Chica Key on Wednesday afternoon after the vessel went under, according to Chief Patrol Agent Walter N. Slosar, who leads the Miami sector of the Border Patrol, after four migrants were able to swim to shore after the vessel went under.
Coast Guard crews continue their air search for survivors as 20 others are still missing.
The vessel sank due to inclement weather, according to Slosar.
USCG reports that three migrants were taken to a hospital for dehydration and exhaustion after being pulled from the water. According to a report by WPLG, the four who swam to shore were also taken to the hospital for evaluation.
The weather conditions during hurricane season had caused officials to warn migrants against making the already-perilous sea journey across the Caribbean.
In adverse weather Tuesday, seven Cuban migrants landed on Pompano Beach.
For more coverage on this story, check the following additional news sources:
- 3 people rescued, 20 missing after migrant boat sinks off Florida during Hurricane Ian, officials say CBS News
- 3 migrants rescued at sea, 20 remain missing as boat sinks off Keys amid Hurricane Ian WPLG Local 10
- Coast Guard rescues 3 migrants off Key West, 20 still missing after boat sinks amid Hurricane Ian New York Post
- Hurricane Ian: 20 migrants still missing in waters off Florida Al Jazeera English
- Cuban migrant boat sinks off Florida due to Hurricane Ian; 20 missing Reuters