18 individuals rescued after spending 5 days stranded at sea, U.S. Coast Guard says

Eighteen individuals have been rescued from a damaged motorboat discovered roughly 16 miles southwest of San Diego, in worldwide waters close to the U.S.-Mexico border, authorities stated. The passengers on board included at the very least two younger kids — a 2-year-old lady and 4-year-old boy — in accordance with the U.S. Coast Guard.

The passengers stated they have been stranded and drifting at sea for 5 days previous to their rescue, a spokesperson for the Coast Guard stated in a press release to CBS Information. The group instructed authorities that they didn’t have meals or water.

The Coast Guard responded to a report on Wednesday afternoon from somebody on one other vessel who noticed a motorboat that seemed to be disabled with individuals on board who “have been actively attempting to flag down” the passerby, the spokesperson stated. 

A helicopter crew arrived on the scene round 4 p.m., in accordance with the spokesperson, and loaded as many individuals into the helicopter as it will carry earlier than touring again to San Diego.

In complete, the Coast Guard stated it rescued seven individuals, together with the 2 kids. The remaining 11 passengers have been rescued by a Mexican Navy ship, in accordance with the spokesperson. Of the passengers rescued by the Coast Guard, three have been taken to the hospital “because of being dehydrated, hungry and chilly,” the spokesperson stated, including that each one have been in secure situation on Thursday.