Four Dead After Boat Capsizes Near San Diego

Capsizing Reported Near Imperial Beach

At least four people died when a wooden skiff believed to be carrying migrants toward the United States capsized near San Diego late Friday night. The U.S. Border Patrol located the vessel in the surf off Imperial Beach and found six people on the shore shortly before midnight.

One of the individuals found on the beach was pronounced dead at the scene. Another person was rescued after authorities located them trapped beneath the overturned boat. Four people were transported to the hospital.

Additional Victims Located Offshore

About two hours after the initial response, authorities received a report of someone in the water near the Imperial Beach Pier. A Coast Guard crew responded and located three people in the ocean, all deceased. The Coast Guard stated Saturday that search efforts were ongoing to locate any additional individuals who may have been onboard the vessel.

Several survivors reported Mexican nationality, while others had not yet been identified. One survivor was transferred to the Department of Homeland Security.

Conditions and Vessel Type Confirmed

A strong storm system affecting Southern California during the incident brought warnings of flash flooding and mudslides. The vessel was identified as a panga, an open fishing boat often used in smuggling operations. According to officials, the skiff was believed to have been ferrying migrants toward the United States.

Related Maritime Incidents Noted

The capsizing occurred amid several recent maritime incidents involving migrant vessels off the California coast. In May, at least three people died when a panga capsized north of the U.S.–Mexico border. In 2023, eight people died when two smuggling boats approached a San Diego beach and one overturned. In 2022, a federal judge sentenced a San Diego man to 18 years in prison for piloting a migrant vessel that broke apart, killing three people.