Eight Mexican nationals rescued from sea

Four Mexican nationals rescued from their overturned boat remained hospitalized Sunday, while the other four were returned to their country, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection official said.

The group of seven men and a woman, were rescued by a passing sailing vessel Friday in the waters west of Tijuana, authorities said.

Five of the men were hospitalized for treatment of hypothermia after the sailing ship arrived at Shelter Island.

Whether the incident was a smuggling attempt gone awry was still being investigated, said Jacqueline Dizdul of CBP.

There has been a noticeable increase in human smuggling on small boats known as pangas over the past two years.

Just last Tuesday, 24 undocumented immigrants were rounded up after they were put ashore at Cardiff State Beach by a 30-foot fishing boat. Three men on that boat were arrested.

This story was written and edited by City News Service.

Tags: Island Princess, ocean rescue, SDNN, shelter island

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