3 dead as migrant boat capsizes off San Diego coast; 2 Indian children among missing
While four people were injured in the incident, seven are still missing
A small boat carrying migrants, including an Indian family, capsized off the coast of San Diego in California. The accident has resulted in the death of three people, while four were injured. Seven people are still suspected to be missing as the search is underway.
The Indian family has been affected terribly, with two children missing and the parents injured. In a post on X, the Consulate General of India in San Francisco said that the parents are being treated at the Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla.
“We are very sad to know about the tragic incident. The consulate is providing all necessary assistance to the affected Indian family in coordination with local authorities. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this tragedy.” the consulate said in its statement.
'Boat connected to smuggling'
The identities of those on board and the exact circumstances surrounding the tragedy are still under investigation.
US Coast Guard Petty Officer Chris Sappey said it was unclear where the boat was coming from before it flipped shortly after sunrise about 56 kilometres north of the Mexico border. He described the vessel as a ‘panga’, single or twin-engine open fishing boats commonly used by smugglers.
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“They were not tourists,” Sappey said. “They are believed to be migrants.”
Pangas are open boats designed for fishing but commonly used by smugglers.
2023 tragedy
In 2023, eight people were killed when two migrant smuggling boats approached a San Diego beach amid heavy fog. One boat capsized in the surf, marking one of the deadliest human smuggling operations ever in the US.
Migrants are increasingly turning to the risky alternative offered by smugglers to travel by sea to avoid heavily guarded land borders, including off California's coast.