In a suspected migrant smuggling attempt north of San Diego, a tiny boat capsized in rough waves off the California coast, killing at least three individuals and leaving seven others, including two children, missing, US authorities said Monday. The boat disaster left at least two Indian children out of seven persons missing, according to the Indian Consulate in San Francisco.

Off the coast of California, a tiny “panga-style” boat overturned on Monday morning. Among those impacted was an Indian family, whose parents are now undergoing treatment at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, but their children are still missing.

On water, 17 life jackets were discovered.
About 15 miles from San Diego’s downtown, the boat capsized in the surf about 6:30 in the morning, according to the authorities. One doctor called emergency authorities after seeing CPR being given on the beach, and other hikers in the vicinity also observed the occurrence. The San Diego Sheriff’s Department’s Lt. Nick Backouris stated, “A doctor hiking nearby called in and said, ‘I see people doing CPR on the beach, I’m running that way.'”

Several agencies are responding, including the US Coast Guard, Del Mar Lifeguards, California State Parks, the US Border Patrol, and the San Diego Sheriff’s Department. According to a CNN story, the Coast Guard sent out a helicopter and a 45-foot rescue boat to help with the search and recovery operation, which went on into Monday afternoon.

Authorities have discovered 17 life jackets at the scene, however it is unclear how many people were on board. The 12-foot panga, which is often used for fishing and sometimes by smugglers, capsized in dangerous circumstances when the National Weather Service was issuing a small craft alert.

Indian family on board confirmed by the Indian Consulate

The Indian family’s participation was confirmed in a statement posted on social media site X by the Consulate General of India in San Francisco. We are very saddened by the unfortunate boat capsize that occurred this morning off the coast of San Diego, California, close to Torrey Pines State Beach. According to the information that is now available, the event resulted in three fatalities, nine reported missing, and four injuries. This tragedy also affects an Indian family. The parents are receiving treated at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, but two Indian children are still missing. In cooperation with local authorities, the Consulate is offering the impacted Indian family all the support they need. “The victims of this tragedy are in our thoughts and prayers,” the consulate stated.

The scenario has the “potential to be a mass casualty event,” according to Encinitas Deputy Fire Chief Jorge Sanchez, depending on what happens to the nine people who are still unaccounted for. The four individuals that were saved had minor to serious injuries and were sent to nearby hospitals. According to California State Parks, an ongoing investigation is underway about the occurrence.

The US Coast Guard is still trying to find out where the boat came from, according to Coast Guard sources who spoke to the news agency Associated Press. “They were not tourists,” said Coast Guard Petty Officer Chris Sappey, who also said they are thought to be migrants. Although similar boats were connected to migrant smuggling in previous occurrences, he subsequently explained to CNN that “the immigration status of the passengers is not confirmed at all yet.”

In 2023, two smuggling boats sank in dense fog off the coast of San Diego, killing eight individuals in a similar disaster. One of the bloodiest marine smuggling operations in US history occurred during that episode. Authorities are concentrating on rescue operations and determining the names and backgrounds of the passengers while the inquiry and hunt for the missing continue. As officials try to help impacted families and collaborate with US authorities, the Indian consulate’s engagement highlights the tragedy’s global reach.