Mexican Navy Rescues 12 People Adrift 120 Kilometers Off Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo — Mexican Navy personnel rescued 11 adults and one minor after the boat they were traveling in was found adrift roughly 120 kilometers (75 miles) northeast of Isla Mujeres, officials said.

The emergency came to light after the crew of a tanker reported spotting the small vessel in the waters of the Mexican Caribbean. The Fifth Naval Region launched a search and rescue operation in response.

The Naval Search, Rescue and Maritime Surveillance Station (ENSAR) on Isla Mujeres dispatched a rescue boat to the reported location. Once the vessel was located, navy personnel moved the 12 people to safety and brought them ashore.

Naval Health personnel then carried out medical checks on the group. According to the Navy, none showed health problems and all were reported to be in good condition after being brought to land.

On shore, the rescued group was initially taken to Fifth Naval Region facilities and later transferred to the Advanced Naval Station in Puerto Juárez, where they were handed over to Mexico’s National Migration Institute (INM). The agency will determine their immigration status.

The minor received separate treatment. The Navy said the child was handed over to representatives of the Family Development System (DIF) in Cancún, accompanied by the person identified as his father, so that the corresponding procedures could continue and his care ensured.

The Navy has not disclosed the nationalities of the 12 people or the circumstances that left the boat unable to keep navigating. Officials also did not specify how long they had been adrift before being located, though the alert from the tanker allowed the rescue operation to be deployed in the area.