Three Dead, 9 Missing After Boat Capsizes Off San Diego Coast

San Diego, May 6, 2025 — A tragic boating accident off the coast of San Diego has left three people dead, four injured, and nine others missing, after a small vessel capsized early Monday morning near Torrey Pines State Beach. The incident has prompted an urgent and large-scale search and rescue operation coordinated by the U.S. Coast Guard and San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.

Authorities received an emergency alert at around 6:30 AM local time, reporting an overturned panga-style boat, a type often used in maritime smuggling operations. The search effort quickly mobilized, utilizing helicopters, patrol boats, and support from multiple rescue agencies.

Rescue Efforts Underway Along California’s Coast

According to officials, the accident occurred approximately 24 kilometers (15 miles) north of downtown San Diego, a region known for both recreational boating and occasional human smuggling attempts via sea.

The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that the search zone has been expanded across a broad swath of coastal waters, with air and sea units patrolling the area in hopes of locating survivors.

“We are conducting a coordinated and aggressive search with all available resources,” said a spokesperson from the Coast Guard. “We remain focused on locating the missing individuals as quickly as possible.”

The four survivors rescued from the water were immediately transported to nearby hospitals, where they are currently receiving medical treatment. Medical staff have confirmed that their conditions are stable.

Identities of Victims Not Yet Released

As of Tuesday morning, the nationalities and identities of the victims have not been publicly disclosed, pending official verification and notification of next of kin. Local authorities have not ruled out the possibility that the incident may be related to unauthorized maritime border crossings, though the investigation remains ongoing.

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department is working closely with the Coast Guard and federal homeland security agencies to determine the circumstances surrounding the boat’s journey and its origin.

A preliminary inquiry is focusing on factors such as overloading, unsafe vessel conditions, and possible human trafficking or smuggling activity, which have been recurring concerns along the U.S.-Mexico maritime border.

Public Alert and Appeal for Information

In the wake of the accident, coastal law enforcement agencies have urged local residents and beachgoers to report any sightings of stranded individuals, debris, or suspicious activity near the shoreline.

“We are asking the public to stay vigilant,” said a representative from the San Diego Sheriff’s Office. “Anyone who sees anything unusual along the coast should immediately notify emergency services.”

Rescue operations are expected to continue through the day, with authorities reiterating that every minute counts in locating the missing passengers, whose fate remains unknown nearly 24 hours after the incident.

Ongoing Concern Over Maritime Migration

The San Diego coastal region has witnessed a rise in maritime incidents, particularly involving small, unregistered boats used for transporting migrants in unsafe conditions. The U.S. Coast Guard and Border Patrol regularly intercept such vessels, many of which are overcrowded and poorly equipped to handle open ocean travel.

In May 2021, a similar tragedy occurred when a smuggling boat broke apart near Point Loma, killing three and injuring dozens. Monday’s incident echoes the persistent risks associated with maritime smuggling routes.

Federal and state officials have emphasized the danger of illegal sea crossings, citing harsh sea conditions, overloaded boats, and lack of safety equipment as leading causes of fatal incidents.