MARATHON, Fla. – The unprecedented surge of migrant landings in South Florida continued Tuesday, as federal officials reported more than a dozen landings in the Florida Keys in a 24-hour period.
In one instance, one of 26 men aboard a rustic boat that landed on a small island off Key West was injured. Another could be seen holding an American flag as he waded through the water.
Another group landed in an RV community in Marathon.
“They looked pretty healthy,” resident Butch Francisco said. “They told one of the Spanish-speaking people here that they (were) only 30 hours from Cuba to here.”
Federal officials brought in a large bus to help transport migrants to the U.S. Border Patrol station in Marathon.
On Friday, Local 10 News reported that landings in South Florida were up more than 200% since the beginning of October. That number is now up to 450%, officials say.
According to the U.S. Border Patrol, officials have responded to 32 migrant landings since Oct. 1, with more than 450 migrants detained after landing in South Florida.
Federal officials also continue to intercept large numbers of migrant vessels at sea.