11 missing after boat capsizes off California coast as survivors suffer suspected shark bites
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA: Eleven people remained missing Sunday after a boat carrying an estimated 27 people capsized off the coast of Baja California, Mexico, leaving 16 survivors rescued from the water. Several survivors suffered injuries consistent with shark bites, and US Coast Guard crews provided emergency first aid before transporting them to San Diego for medical treatment.
The vessel went down about 140 miles west of Ensenada after a distress call reported that it was taking on water around 1 a.m. local time Friday, October 16. The US Coast Guard, US Navy and Mexican Navy continued search-and-rescue operations Sunday, with no additional survivors reported found as of October 18.
Three survivors suffer suspected shark bites
Three of the 16 people rescued sustained injuries consistent with shark bites, the Coast Guard told USA TODAY. The agency said its personnel provided lifesaving first aid during transport to San Diego, where all 16 survivors were transferred to emergency medical teams for further evaluation and treatment at local hospitals.
Authorities had not provided an updated account of the survivors’ medical conditions as of Sunday, October 18.
The Associated Press reported that several rescued people had severe injuries consistent with shark bites. Officials have not publicly established the circumstances surrounding the injuries.
Search continues for 11 missing people
The Coast Guard received the mayday call at approximately 1 a.m. Friday, reporting that a vessel was taking on water roughly 140 miles west of Ensenada. A rescue helicopter reached the area about two hours later, and crews took approximately 90 minutes to pull the 16 survivors from the water, according to Coast Guard Lt. Santiago Tamburini.
Search teams deployed aircraft and boats, including crews from Coast Guard Air Stations Ventura and Sacramento and the Coast Guard Cutter Active. The USS Kingsville and a Navy helicopter assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23 also joined the operation.
Crews located debris and floating seats believed to be connected to the vessel. However, officials had not confirmed the boat’s identity or whether it was involved in a smuggling operation.
“We cannot yet confirm whether this vessel was part of that enterprise or just a recreational or commercial fishing vessel,” Tamburini told NBC 7 San Diego.
The Coast Guard said reports indicated there may have been 27 people aboard. The Mexican consulate in San Diego confirmed that all 16 people rescued were Mexican nationals.
Authorities investigate possible smuggling route
The boat capsized in an area known to be used by smugglers, although authorities have not confirmed the purpose of this particular voyage. U.S. Customs and Border Protection was investigating and interviewing survivors.
Coast Guard Capt. Robert Tucker, commander of Coast Guard Sector San Diego, warned that overcrowded boats and offshore conditions can make such journeys especially dangerous.
“This case highlights the extreme dangers of taking to the sea,” Tucker said in a statement. “The vessel had a large number of people onboard and was following a route normally used in illegal maritime smuggling operations. Offshore conditions are unforgivable and can quickly result in death.”
If survivors are witnesses to a crime, they may be eligible for humanitarian parole, which could allow them to remain in the United States for a limited period.
