Nine people are missing after a vessel transporting 22 people from Cuba capsized at 8 p.m. Monday 26 miles southeast of Key West, according to a press release from the U.S. Coast Guard.
#HappeningNow @USCG Sector #KeyWest was alerted to people in the water 23 mi SE of KW from the M/V Western Carmen, who rescued 2 survivors. #USCGC Thetis arrived on scene & their small boat crew rescued 10 more people from the water. #SAR #Elsa #Storm21 pic.twitter.com/1VzeJMVvCp
— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) July 6, 2021
The U.S. Coast Guard rescued 13 people – nine males and four females – of the 22 aboard the boat Tuesday, according to the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard did not release the names of the survivors. The survivors said seven males and two females are missing, according to the Coast Guard’s press release. (RELATED: Six People Rescued From Overturned Ship, 12 Reportedly Remain Missing)
A Western Carmen motor vessel saw four people in the water at about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday and then alerted the Coast Guard of the capsize, according to the press release. The crew saved 10 people and then deployed helicopters, airplanes and ships to search for the others missing. The Coast Guard, assisted by a good Samaritan, found three others, according to the press release.
#UPDATE 3 more survivors were rescued. Photos of the scene from @USCG Cutter Thetis. The search for more survivors continue as we evaluate the health and provide medical attention for those rescued. pic.twitter.com/9eD0VeioGI
— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) July 6, 2021
Survivors held onto orange floating devices while it rained.
“The Cutter Thetis along with the Cutter William Trump remained on scene and are continuing to search for the nine missing people,” the press release states.