At Least 4 Dead, 5 Others Injured After Panga Boat Capsized Off the Coast of San Diego

At least four people lost their lives and five others were injured after a panga-style vessel overturned off the coast of San Diego early Saturday, Nov. 15.

Deputies responded to Imperial Beach for a “lifesaving emergency” involving the capsized boat, according to reports from Fox 5 San Diego, the San Diego Union-Tribune and NBC 7 San Diego.

San Diego Fire-Rescue Fire Chief John French told Sideo TV that U.S. Border Patrol spotted the vessel crossing the border before it flipped in surf near South Seacoast Drive and Encanto Avenue.

Shortly after midnight, the U.S. Coast Guard launched a coordinated search for survivors with support from the Chula Vista Fire Department and U.S. Border Patrol.

“This morning at approximately 12 a.m., San Diego Sector Border Patrol agents responded to a maritime smuggling event south of the Imperial Beach Pier. During the smuggling event, the vessel was seen capsizing in the surf,” U.S. Border Patrol Agent Gerardo U. Gutierrez told CBS 8. “Multiple agencies responded to assist in search and rescue efforts. A total of nine people were recovered from the scene.”

Officials confirmed that four people died. One victim was found in the water near South Seacoast Drive, while three others were discovered near the Imperial Beach Pier. Five survivors were taken to area hospitals with minor injuries.

“We have Coast Guard still out there … looking to see if there are any other bodies,” French told Sideo TV.

A witness fishing in the area described spotting one of the victims floating nearby and said a helicopter began circling overhead as rescue efforts intensified.

Earlier this year, another panga boat incident near Torrey Pines State Beach killed at least three people and left several others requiring medical care. Authorities told CBS affiliate KFMB that some passengers on that vessel were believed to be minors, and the group was suspected to include migrants.

U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson Petty Officer Chris Sappey told NBC News at the time, “It is a suspected migrant smuggling boat — human smuggling, no drugs.”