Dead body of one of the 39 migrants shipwrecked off the coast of Florida found

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) confirmed the discovery of a body at sea belonging to one of the 39 migrants that went missing on Sunday after their boat capsized off the coast of Florida.

"In the search conducted all day yesterday and all night, we found a body that is going to be transferred to shore today," said Captain Jo Ann Burdian, Coast Guard Sector Miami commandant, during a press conference Wednesday.  

"The situation is terrible. The longer they stay in the water, exposed to the marine environment, it becomes much more serious, and the less likely survivors will be found," she said.

Burdian said that search conditions for Wednesday are favorable. Aircraft will also be overflying the area and reporting on floating debris, which will be thoroughly investigated afterward.

"We are still looking for other survivors," she added.

The incident came to light after an individual told authorities Tuesday that he had rescued a man clinging to an overturned boat about 70 miles east of Fort Pierce Inlet.

The survivor claimed his ship had departed last Saturday night from Bimini, Bahamas, with 39 other people and faced adverse weather that caused them to capsize. He said that no one on board was wearing life jackets.

The survivor was transported to the hospital with dehydration and excessive sun exposure, but remains in stable condition, reported Captain Burdian.