More than two dozen Haitian migrants who spent five days at sea were found on an overloaded boat near Virginia Key Thursday, authorities said.
The group of 25 migrants, which included 21 adults and four children, departed Haiti on Sunday, said U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman Michael Silva.
Footage showed U.S. Coast Guard, Miami-Dade Police, Miami Fire Rescue and other agencies responding to the sailing vessel not far from Virginia Key.
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Silva said the migrants were evaluated, with some showing symptoms of dehydration.
"Life is the number one priority right now, making sure that everyone is okay, accounted for, and that they're in good health," Silva said.
Photos released by Miami Fire Rescue showed a group of around a dozen migrants who appeared to have made it to shore.
Officials said one man was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital for treatment for mild hypothermia.
Local
South Florida and particularly the Florida Keys have seen a massive influx of migrants in recent weeks.
On Tuesday night, U.S. Border Patrol and other agencies responded to a human smuggling operation in Fort Lauderdale involving 12 migrants.
Earlier Tuesday, Border Patrol officers confirmed about 19 Cuban migrants in a wooden boat landed on Key Colony Beach.
While more than 4,400 migrants from Cuba and Haiti have made their way by boat to the state since August, more than 700 migrants arrived in the Florida Keys over New Year's weekend, officials said.
The situation led Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to mobilize the Florida National Guard to assist law enforcement.
Check back with NBC 6 for updates.
