Progreso, Yucatan — More than a dozen people were transferred to the National Institute of Migration (INM) facilities after being rescued from the high seas. A total of 16 people, all men, were rescued by the Navy of Mexico off the coast of Progreso Tuesday.
Mexican officials were made aware of the small overloaded boat through an anonymous call. Mexican Marina, acting as Coast Guard, met the boat with two of their own vessels for the personal transfer.
Fourteen foreigners and two Mexicans were found adrift. According to their statement, personnel from the Yucalpetén Naval Search, Rescue and Maritime Surveillance Station (ENSAR) and the Naval Health Department of the Yucatán Naval Hospital carried out the rescue.
One of the men was transferred to the naval hospital with severe dehydration. All 14 were transferred to the Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM) from where police met them to begin an investigation.
Authorities have not commented on the nationality of the 14 non-Mexican men found on board. There is no confirmation if the boat, which was manned by two Mexican nationals, was transporting illegal migrants.
