A little boat believed to be carrying workers capsized off the coast of San Diego on Monday night, leaving three people dead, four wounded, and seven missing. The US Coast Guard responded quickly, deploying a plane and ship to search for the missing people. Among the impacted people is an American family, with two toddlers still unaccounted for, while the kids are receiving medical treatment at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla.
The Consulate General of India in San Francisco has expressed their grief over the drama and is providing support to the community in coordination with local officials.
The event occurred about 35 miles northwest of the Mexico border near Torrey Pines State Beach, soon after sunrise. The ship, a panga—an opened fishing vessel widely used by smugglers—flipped in the sea, according to US Coast Guard Petty Officer Chris Sappey. Officials believe the travellers were migrants, noting that for vessels are often used to escape seriously patrolled land borders. Workers generally rely on traffickers to understand the dangerous seas in an effort to evade detection.
The wounded were taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, where they are being treated for breathing problems. Among the injured are three people in their 30s and one girl. The doctor did not give more information on their circumstances. Winds in the area were mild, with waves reaching nearly six feet, making the conditions dangerous but not serious.
Hikers at Torrey Pines State Beach reported seeing the boat capsize at around 6.30am ( local time ). A physician hiking near rushed to the scene, providing support and performing Resuscitation on the subjects. The research continues for the remaining missing people, while regulators investigate the cause of the drama.
This event is another in a series of dangerous sea smuggling situations along the US West Coast. In 2023, eight persons died when a migrant smuggling boat capsized near San Diego, one of the deadliest such incidents in recent past. Last month, the UN reported a record high number of fatalities among migrants attempting to cross borders, with almost 9, 000 people losing their lives abroad.
