LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA, Fla. – Two separate incidents of migrants coming ashore Sunday morning are being investigated.
Authorities rushed to Lauderdale-by-the-Sea early Sunday morning after receiving reports of migrants coming ashore.
U.S. Border Patrol and members of the Broward Sheriff’s Office responded to the incident.
According to BSO, deputies responded to the area of A1A just south of Commercial Boulevard.
As of around 11 a.m., authorities said they detained nine migrants.
Witnesses told Local 10 News they saw anywhere between 20 and 30 adults exit the boat after it arrived, many carrying bags with them.
Border Patrol agents said they have taken the detained migrants into federal custody.
Also Sunday morning, Fort Lauderdale police received a call about migrants coming ashore in the area of 2100 North Atlantic Boulevard.
This suspected smuggling incident occurred at approximately 9:42 a.m.
Authorities said the involved boat hit the sand with approximately 15 migrants on board, several of whom were taken into custody by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
It is unclear whether the two incidents are connected. Authorities said they have not ruled out that possibility.