Twelve People Detained After Arriving in Makeshift Boat on California Beach, Officials Said

Twelve people were taken into custody after a boat landed on a California beach on Monday, according to authorities.

Huntington Beach firefighters in Huntington Beach, California, told KCAL9 that they treated a dozen patients on Monday after a makeshift boat washed ashore. The suspects were taken into federal custody and were determined to be in good health after an examination by paramedics, KCAL9 reported.

"A total of 12 patients were evaluated at the scene. Homeland Security is now investigating and all future information will be released by @DHSgov," Huntington Beach Fire Department tweeted on Monday.

There were nine Chinese, a Chinese woman, and two Latino men who were detained, Matthew Rice from the Department of Homeland Security told the Los Angeles Times. The boat arrived on shore near the Pacific Coast Highway and Anderson Street before 3 p.m., according to the publication.

Rice told KTLA it is unknown if the two Hispanic males that were on the boat were "smuggling guides." Once they docked, the individuals split up and tried to hide in nearby businesses, according to KTLA.

Newsweek has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment on the investigation but did not hear back in time for publication. A spokesperson from the department told KTLA that investigators were still trying to conduct interviews to figure out what happened.

The investigation is still ongoing, according to the Los Angeles Times.

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