PALM BEACH, Fla. — Twelve migrants were detained Saturday afternoon after they came ashore from a sailboat near Root Trail on Palm Beach, police said.
Palm Beach police responded to Root Trail and North Ocean Boulevard at 1:17 p.m. in reference to a migrant landing after a beachgoer spotted about 10 people in the ocean swimming toward the shore with suitcases.
Police said when officers arrived at the scene, they saw eight people walking on the shore with luggage and four others swimming toward the shore. Officers also saw a sailboat 50 feet from the shore.
The 12 occupants of the sailboat — eight men and four women — were taken into custody.
The four women were transported to Good Samaritan Medical Center after complaints of shortness of breath.
Police said the migrants were believed to be Haitian citizens.
The U.S. Coast Guard seized control of the boat.