Search operations are underway in Lake Michigan for two individuals from suburban Chicago who went missing while boating along the northwestern Indiana coastline, authorities reported.
Difficult weather conditions, including strong winds and high waves, have made the search efforts challenging, according to Indiana conservation officer Alex Neel.
The incident occurred on Friday afternoon near Hammond, Indiana, when one man entered the water to swim and began to struggle. Another man jumped in to assist him, but also found himself in distress. A third man put on a life jacket and tried to help his companions, but he too encountered difficulties. Strong winds pushed all three men away from the boat, leaving them stranded.
The remaining nine individuals on the boat were unable to operate the vessel and called for help. They were rescued by conservation officers after the boat was located nearly 2 1/2 miles off the Whiting, Indiana shoreline and towed back to safety.
Search efforts for the missing men began on Friday afternoon, with one individual wearing a life jacket being located by the U.S. Coast Guard two hours later. He was treated at a hospital and later released.
The missing individuals are residents of Elk Grove Village and Mount Prospect in northern Illinois, according to Mr. Neel.
