By Elizabeth Chuck, msnbc.com
Immigration agents were called to Port Newark in New Jersey Wednesday morning amid reports that a ship docked there has multiple stowaways aboard.
According to the Coast Guard, someone on the ship heard sounds from the container, but opted not to open it at sea. Crew members then told the Coast Guard they believed there were several stowaways on board, an official told NBCNewYork.com.
The official believes "it will take a significant amount of time" to reach the container.
The Villa d'Aquarius originated several weeks ago in Pakistan, and then had a container loaded onto it in India, Coast Guard spokesman Charles Rowe told NBCNewYork.com.
The ship's last port was in Egypt, NBCNewYork.com reported. The station's chopper video captured federal officials swarming around the New Jersey dock to investigate the vessel.
The ship's manifest said the container was carrying machine parts that were going to be unloaded in Norfolk, Va.
A law enforcement official told The New York Post that police were notified about the situation at about 7:20 a.m.
Details about the number of alleged stowaways or their health conditions were not immediately available.
This breaking news story will be updated. Check back for updates.
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