Coast Guard ends search for 20 missing Cuban migrants

MIAMI, Sept. 28 (UPI) -- The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search for 20 Cuban migrants reported missing after their boat capsized last week.

Three people, found on Big Pine Key in the Florida Keys, reported they were among 23 people aboard a boat that left Cuba on Sept. 20 and overturned the following day while traveling to the United States. The bodies of three of the remaining 20 people aboard were located in Islamorada, in the upper Florida Keys, and another body was found on Big Munson Island. Monroe County Sheriff's deputies recovered another body from Ramrod Key, in the lower Florida Keys, and an investigation is underway to determine if the person was part of the group.

The Coast Guard search, which covered over 9,306 square miles, employed aircraft and several ships. It was suspended late Tuesday.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission aided the rescue effort.