By Maria Ortiz
Apr 26, 2024, 7:59 PM EDT
The US Coast Guard rescued eight migrant children, ages 6 to 13, in the Rio Grande near McAllen, Texas, on Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security agency reported in a statement.
The crew of a 29-foot response boat from the Houston Coast Guard Maritime Safety Team was patrolling the Rio Grande at approximately 8:30 p.m. Tuesday when sThey found a group of immigrant children with an adult believed to be a trafficker, on a raft on the Rio Grande (Rio Grande in Mexico) near McAllen.
Upon noticing the presence of the authorities, the adult jumped overboard, deflated the raft and swam back to the Mexican side of the river.
When the raft began to deflate and fill with water, The Coast Guard crew rescued the eight children, the agency said.
The minors were safely brought ashore and handed over to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents, where they were provided medical care. None of the children suffered injuries.
US Coast Guard vessels have been deployed to the border river, assisting the Border Patrol (CBP) primarily to conduct search and rescue and assist with surveillance of the sector.
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