U.S. Coast Guard calls off search for 5 missing passengers after boat overturns near Florida

The United States Coast Guard has called off its search for five missing persons after a boat overturned near St. Lucie Inlet in Florida on Sunday.

"The decision to suspend a search is always difficult and never taken lightly," Chief Warrant Officer Edgardo Insignares, a Coast Guard Sector Miami search and rescue mission coordinator, said in a statement on Monday.

Four passengers from the yacht were rescued and flown by helicopter to Cleveland Clinic Martin South Hospital in Stuart, Florida, one of whom had significant injuries, according to Martin County Fire Rescue.

According to one of the survivors, the yacht left Bimini with nine people on board Friday and capsized on Saturday, according to the Coast Guard. Bimini is a tiny island chain in the Bahamas, approximately 50 miles east of Miami.

Martin County Fire Rescue earlier stated that one individual was found deceased, however the US Coast Guard later clarified that no remains were discovered.

The news statement also stated that investigators believe the event was a "failed smuggling venture."

The Coast Guard launched a rescue attempt Sunday after a "good Samaritan" reported "an overturned 25-foot vessel with four people clinging to it" 29 miles off St. Lucie Inlet.

“Smugglers routinely exploit vulnerable aliens for profit while putting their lives at risk aboard overloaded and unseaworthy vessels,” Insignares said. “These dangerous and illegal voyages must not be attempted. Safe, legal, and orderly migration saves lives.  Don’t take to the sea.”

Martin County Fire Rescue said in a post on X that the Coast Guard arrived just before 10 a.m.

"5 occupants were located, 1 of whom was deceased.  4 were transported for further evaluation," Martin County Fire Rescue wrote on Sunday afternoon. However, the Martin County Sheriff's Office held a press conference on Monday afternoon during which Sheriff John Budensiek stated, "I've seen a report that one individual was recovered deceased. That did not happen while our deputies were out there and we've not been able to verify that with anyone."

Later that day, Martin County Fire Rescue stated that one of the victims had "serious injuries" while the other three had non-life-threatening injuries, and they were all transported to Cleveland Clinic's Martin South Hospital in Martin County.