A multinational search operation is underway for 11 people missing after a boat carrying 27 passengers capsized approximately 140 miles west of Ensenada, Mexico, on Friday. 16 Mexican nationals were rescued, including one treated for injuries consistent with shark bites, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Rescue efforts involve multiple aircraft, boats, and a Navy combat ship, with an additional helicopter set to join later Saturday. Authorities confirmed the incident occurred in an area frequented by smugglers but did not take place in U.S. waters.
The mayday call was transmitted around 1 a.m. Friday, and a rescue helicopter arrived at the scene about two hours later. It took 90 minutes for crews, including a rescue swimmer, to retrieve the 16 survivors from the water. Three individuals were taken to Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego, where one received treatment for shark-related injuries.
Mexican Navy assists in search alongside U.S. forces
The Mexican Navy is collaborating with the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy in the search, which spans a remote stretch of the Pacific Ocean. The boat’s capsizing follows a pattern of dangerous migrant transport attempts from Mexico to the U.S., though authorities have not confirmed the passengers’ intent. The Mexican consulate in San Diego stated all rescued individuals were Mexican nationals.
Investigation underway into capsizing circumstances
Customs and Border Protection is interviewing survivors, who may be eligible for humanitarian parole if they witnessed a crime, according to Coast Guard officials. The investigation aims to determine the cause of the capsizing and whether smuggling activities were involved. The Coast Guard did not immediately respond to requests for updates on the probe.
Region known for smuggling activity and migrant crossings
The area where the boat sank is a known route for smugglers facilitating migrant crossings toward the U.S., though fatal incidents have occurred in the past. The Coast Guard emphasized the region’s popularity among fishing and leisure vessels, noting that smuggling operations often operate in the same waters. Survivors reported the vessel was carrying 27 people, though the total number of missing remains unverified.
Rescue operations continued Saturday with helicopters, a fixed-wing plane, a Coast Guard cutter, and a Navy combat ship actively searching the area. Authorities have not yet located the missing individuals, and the search remains ongoing.