Coast Guard searches for 39 people off Fort Pierce Inlet after their boat overturned
UPDATE: The Coast Guard announced Wednesday that one body has been found as the search continues.
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Original coverage:
Multiple U.S. Coast Guard vessels and aircraft are searching for 39 people on Tuesday, three days after their boat reportedly overturned somewhere between the Bahamas and the Fort Pierce Inlet, the military branch said on Twitter.
“This is a suspected human smuggling event,” the Coast Guard said.
The rescue operation began Tuesday, the Coast Guard said, after a civilian rescued a man at approximately 8 a.m. from a capsized boat about 45 miles east of the inlet.
“The survivor reported he left Bimini, Bahamas with 39 other people on Saturday night and encountered severe weather, causing the vessel to capsize,” the Coast Guard said.
According to the survivor, no one was wearing a life jacket.
This story is developing.
This story was originally published January 25, 2022 at 5:30 PM.
