Crews Search for Missing Migrant After Rescuing 28 in Rough Seas Off Florida Coast

Coast Guard crews continue searching for a migrant who went missing after falling off a makeshift boat near the Florida Keys. Crews received information regarding migrants in the water and rescued 28 from the sea and an unseaworthy vessel.

Coast Guard Station Key West rescue crews began searching for a missing migrant on Tuesday after a good Samaritan notified them of migrants in the water. Coast Guard air and surface crews responded to the area of the sighting and began a search and rescue operation in rough seas.

Officials said the crews rescued 18 people from the water and ten more from a migrant vessel. Two of the migrants had to be medevaced to receive a higher level of care.

One person from the group is reported to be missing at sea, a statement from the Coast Guard reports. A search for the missing person continued into Tuesday night and resumed on Wednesday, officials stated.

“Coast Guard crews will continue to search for this person until all efforts are exhausted,” said Capt. Jason Ingram, commander, Sector Key West. “Taking to the sea in dangerous weather and un-seaworthy vessels greatly increases the risk for loss of life. Don’t take to the sea. Use safe and legal means of immigrating to the U.S.”

Officials report five-foot seas and 20-knot winds at the time of the incident. The nationalities of the migrants were not released in this statement.