40 Cuban migrants detained after they were left on a deserted island

NASSAU, Bahamas – The Foreign Ministry of the Bahamas says about 40 migrants from Cuba have been detained among the small, uninhabited keys in the south of the island chain.

A Foreign Ministry statement says the migrants include one child and were left by smugglers on a deserted island near Cay Sal. The ministry says it detained two alleged smugglers along with the group.

The migrants had apparently taken off from La Isabela, Cuba, about 90 kilometres to the south.

The Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that the migrants would be taken to Bahamas’ New Providence island to be processed and then repatriated to Cuba.

The Bahamian government has come under pressure in recent months from Cuban advocates in the United States who have accused authorities in the Bahamas of mistreating migrants.