Havana, May 26 (RHC)— Off the  coast of the central town of Caibarien,   Cuban authorities  rescued  some  800 Haitians who  were trying to reach the US illegally in unsafe sailing conditions

The rescue operation took place at a point called Villa Blanca, near the town of Caibarién, some 300 kilometers east of Havana, in the province of Villa Clara.

The boat carried 842 migrants, 675 men, 97 women, two pregnant, and 70 children.

Cuban Red Cross and health authorities are checking up on the health status of the migrants who have received temporary shelter at the Sierra Morena  Camping site. Some passengers were suffering from sunstroke, dehydration, and respiratory and stomach ailments.

At the reception center, authorities are evaluating their health status. At a later date, they will be returned to Haiti under existing agreements between that country and Havana.

Although it is not uncommon for Haitian migrants seeking to reach the United States to end up in Cuba due to winds and ocean currents, there has never been such a large group.

After adverse navigation conditions diverted them towards Cuba, and they requested help from border guard troops.