Juan Esteban Montoya Caicedo, the lone survivor of a ship that capsized earlier this month off the coast of Florida whereas transporting 40 migrants to the U.S., stated Monday he watched not less than a dozen others resolve they could not maintain onto the capsized boat any longer till he was the one one left.

"I hope that God has one thing very huge for me since my coronary heart is now damaged," he stated at a press convention Monday, talking in Spanish in line with The Related Press. "Part of me was taken."

Montoya, 22, stated he was touring together with his 18-year-old sister, María Camila Montoya Caicedo, to reunite with their mom, who has lived within the U.S. for over 10 years, in line with The Washington Submit.

Montoya stated they traveled from their residence in Colombia to Bimini within the Bahamas, the place they departed January 22 on a ship amongst a bunch of 40 migrants, together with a number of youngsters, from the Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Jamaica and Haiti, the AP reported.

Someday the following day, the motor on the boat stopped working, Montoya stated, and it was floating for about 4 hours earlier than a wave capsized the 25-foot vessel, separating him from his sister earlier than he noticed her yet one more time.

"I managed to see her once more. However as I went to her to assist her, the remainder of the individuals had been grabbing her. All people was holding on to everyone. That is why she drowned," he stated in line with the AP.

Florida Colombia Juan Esteban Montoya Caicedo Migrants
On this picture from video, Colombian nationwide Juan Esteban Montoya Caicedo, heart, pauses as he speaks at a information convention alongside together with his mom Marcia Giraldo, left, and legal professional Naimeh Salem, proper, Monday in Fort Pierce, Fla. Montoya Caicedo was the only real survivor of a capsized boat discovered close to Florida's coast and says not less than 15 different migrants tried to cling to the vessel after it overturned, however in the end could not maintain on.Cody Jackson/Related Press

Montoya stated about 15 individuals remained holding onto the boat, however because the hours handed that quantity dwindled till he was the one one left holding onto the boat.

"What we had been going by was so tough, some individuals let go," he stated, the AP reported. "The dearth of meals, the dearth of water and lack of relaxation impacts you, and it led them to go that route."

He stated a number of others remained holding onto the boat by January 24, however when he was discovered the following day, Montoya was the one one who remained. The AP reported that Montoya stated he spent most of his time within the water the place it was hotter, however the evening of January 24 he climbed on high of the upside-down boat, the place he was noticed by a service provider ship the following day.

Naimeh Salem, Montoya's legal professional, stated Monday that Montoya would apply for political asylum however couldn't say extra about his case, the AP reported.