Tragic Capsizing of Migrant Boat Off San Diego Coast
SAN DIEGO (AP) — A small boat, reported to be carrying migrants, capsized early Monday morning near the San Diego coastline, tragically resulting in three confirmed deaths and four injuries. U.S. Coast Guard crews are actively searching for an additional seven individuals who remain unaccounted for.
Incident Overview
Initially, nine individuals were reported as missing, although two have since been found and detained, according to U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Hunter Schnabel, who did not specify which agency was involved in the detainment.
The overturned vessel, described as a panga—a type of fishing boat commonly used by smugglers—flipped soon after sunrise, approximately 35 miles (56 kilometers) north of the U.S.-Mexico border. Coast Guard officials noted that the occupants were likely migrants rather than tourists.
Injuries and Response
Four survivors from the incident are receiving treatment at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, where they are addressing respiratory-related issues. Their ages range from a teenager to individuals in their 30s. No further details on their conditions have been released.
The Coast Guard deployed both a helicopter and boat to aid in the ongoing search efforts. Eyewitnesses at nearby Torrey Pines State Beach reported observing the capsizing event around 6:30 a.m., prompting immediate rescue attempts.
Eyewitness Accounts
According to Lt. Nick Backouris of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, a doctor who happened to be hiking at the time called in, stating, “I see people doing CPR on the beach, I’m running that way.”
Weather Conditions and Boat Details
At the time of the incident, conditions were relatively calm, with light winds and slow-rolling waves measuring about 6 feet (1.8 meters). The water temperature was recorded at 63 degrees Fahrenheit (17 degrees Celsius), as noted by meteorologist Sebastian Westerink from the National Weather Service in San Diego.
The wooden panga, over 20 feet long (6 meters), was found on the beach with visible damage to its engine and contained life vests, running shoes, an empty waterproof phone bag, and various bottles of water. A bulldozer was employed to move the vessel as search operations continued.
Context of Migrant Smuggling
The rise in maritime smuggling has led many migrants to take perilous journeys by sea, aiming to bypass heavily policed land borders. Smugglers frequently launch pangas from the Mexican coast during the night, traveling vast distances toward the U.S. coast.
This incident is not isolated. In 2023, eight individuals lost their lives when two migrant smuggling boats capsized in foggy conditions off San Diego. Prior to this, a San Diego man was sentenced to 18 years for piloting an overloaded vessel that capsized in stormy weather, resulting in multiple fatalities.
The Bigger Picture
Data from the United Nations migration agency revealed a stark reality: nearly 9,000 individuals died in 2022 while attempting to cross borders, marking a tragic record for the fifth consecutive year.
Specifically, the U.N. Missing Migrant Project has documented over 24,506 deaths and disappearances in the central Mediterranean between 2014 and 2024, many going unrecorded as they are lost at sea.
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This report was prepared by Weber from Los Angeles.