Cruise ship rescues survivors after nine Cuban migrants die off Florida

Nine Cuban migrants have died and 18 others were rescued after their boat was found off the coast of Florida. Their vessel was spotted by a Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas cruise ship after they had been at sea for 22 days. The survivors were suffering from severe dehydration when they were rescued off Marco Island. The bodies of those who didn’t make it had been thrown overboard.

They could barely walk off the vessel itself. They were weak and they were shaking.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Mark Barney

The cruise ship took the survivors to its next port of call, the Mexican island of Cozumel. Many Cubans still risk their lives to reach the United States.  The US Coast Guard returned 42 other migrants to Cuba after they were picked up in the Florida Straits in two separate incidents earlier in the week. The deaths come as Barack Obama makes a historic visit to Cuba - the first trip to the Communist-ruled country by a US president in 88 years.

Unfortunately, tragedy is all too common when taking to the sea in homemade vessels with no safety or navigation equipment.

Coast Guard captain Mark Gordon

cuban migrants