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Three people died, four were injured, and nine others are missing after a small boat capsized early Monday (May 5) off the coast of San Diego. According to the San Diego Sheriff's Department, the U.S. Coast Guard responded around 6:30 a.m. to reports of a capsized panga-style boat near Torrey Pines State Beach. The Coast Guard, using vessels and helicopters, is actively searching for the missing individuals approximately 15 miles north of downtown San Diego.
The 12-foot boat's origin remains unknown, and the incident occurred in high surf conditions. Hikers at Torrey Pines State Beach witnessed the capsizing, with one doctor on the scene reporting people performing CPR on the beach. Pangas, typically used for fishing, are often employed by smugglers, raising concerns about the boat's purpose.
This tragic event echoes a similar incident in 2023 when eight people died after two smuggling boats capsized near San Diego. The current search and rescue operation involves a 45-foot rescue boat and a helicopter assisting lifeguards in the area.