Coast Guard Suspends Search For Group That Left Cuba A Week Ago In A 'Rustic Boat'

WLRN Public Media | By Nancy Klingener

Published September 27, 2016 at 9:25 PM EDT

The U.S. Coast Guard has been looking for the migrants in an area the size of the state of New Hampshire.

The U.S. Coast Guard suspended Tuesday at 9:49 pm the search for a group of Cuban migrants reported missing Monday.

Since Saturday, five bodies have been found in the waters or on the islands of the Florida Keys. They are believed to be from a group of 23 people who left Cuba on September twentieth aboard of what the Coast Guard describes as a “rustic boat.”

"Our deepest condolences go out to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic case," said Capt. Mark Gordon, chief of enforcement for the Coast Guard 7th District. "It is an unfortunate reminder that the sea can be unforgiving for those who are ill prepared on illegal and unsafe voyages."

Three survivors from the group were found on Big Pine Key Sunday evening. They told authorities about their voyage – and that the boat had capsized the day after they left.

The Coast Guard has been searching the waters off the Keys by air and sea since the first body was found Saturday morning.

So far the search has covered an area the size of the state of New Hampshire.