Boat carrying migrants capsizes off San Diego coast; Indian family among victims, 2 children missing

At least three individuals lost their lives and seven are still unaccounted for after a vessel overturned near Torrey Pines State Beach, off the coast of San Diego, early on Monday. The general consulate of India in San Francisco stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that an Indian family was impacted by the incident.

“While two Indian children are missing, the parents are undergoing treatment at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla,” the consulate said, adding that it is in touch with local authorities and providing all necessary assistance to the family.

In total, four people were reported injured in the incident. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing, and officials have yet to confirm the cause of the capsizing.

“We are very sad to know about the tragic incident… Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims,” the consulate said in its statement.

The identities of individuals on the vessel and the specific details of the tragedy are still being investigated.

A news agency reported, referencing US Coast Guard Petty Officer Hunter Schnabel, that nine individuals were initially reported as missing, but later two were discovered and apprehended.

He was unaware of which agency had arrested the individuals or the reason behind it. The US Border Patrol did not promptly reply to an email inquiring about their involvement.

US Coast Guard Petty Officer Chris Sappey stated that it was uncertain where the boat originated before it capsized shortly after dawn approximately 56 kilometers north of the Mexican border. He referred to the boat as a panga, which are open fishing vessels with either single or twin engines that are often utilized by smugglers.

More migrants are opting for the perilous option provided by smugglers to journey by sea in order to bypass heavily secured land borders, including those off the coast of California. Pangas depart from the Mexican coast in the middle of the night, occasionally traveling hundreds of kilometers north.

The four individuals who were hurt were brought to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, according to an email from the hospital. Everyone was receiving treatment for respiratory-related problems after being transported by ambulance. Three were in their thirties and one was a teenager. No additional information was given.

The Coast Guard sent a helicopter and a vessel to look for the missing individuals.