Del Mar, California — A tragic incident unfolded early Monday morning when a “panga-style vessel” capsized, leading to the deaths of three individuals and leaving nine others missing, authorities reported. The U.S. Coast Guard was notified around 6:30 a.m. by local officials regarding the overturned boat, estimated to have carried about 16 people, just north of Torrey Pines State Beach.
Emergency responders confirmed that three bodies had been recovered, while four survivors required medical attention. As of now, nine individuals onboard are still unaccounted for, according to Hunter Schnabel, a public affairs officer with the Coast Guard. Details concerning the identities and statuses of those involved remain sparse.
Authorities are actively coordinating search efforts utilizing various resources, including aerial surveillance and marine vessels, to locate the missing individuals. Initial investigations have not determined the vessel’s point of origin, adding to the complexity of the situation.
The recent capsizing is part of a troubling pattern of maritime smuggling along California’s coastline, particularly intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reports indicate a significant increase in Border Patrol apprehensions, highlighting the ongoing challenge of human trafficking via sea routes. Regions like San Diego County are known hotspots, though Orange and Los Angeles Counties have also experienced incidents of illegal boat smuggling.
This is not the first time tragedy has struck in these waters. In 2022, double fatalities occurred when two migrant smuggling boats capsized near La Jolla. The previous year, a collision between a panga and rocky cliffs at Point Loma resulted in the deaths of three people, underscoring the persistent dangers associated with such vessels.
The coast of California continues to serve as a critical transit point for individuals seeking to enter the United States illegally, often risking their lives in the process. As authorities ramp up their search and response operations, communities are left grappling with the human cost of this perilous journey.