A tragedy unfolded off the coast of San Diego on Saturday when two boats, suspected of being used for smuggling, approached a local beach, where one of them capsized, leading to at least eight deaths. Officials are continuing to search for an estimated seven more victims who remain missing, though thick fog has hampered the efforts. The Coast Guard and San Diego Fire-Rescue teams managed to retrieve eight bodies from the water, but their search for more continues.
According to Coast Guard Petty Officer Eddie Berrios, the type of boat that capsized is currently unknown, though pangas, small open boats commonly used in smuggling operations, frequently come ashore in the area. Berrios confirmed that eight people had lost their lives in the incident and that teams were still searching for at least seven more. A Coast Guard cutter combed the area early on Sunday in hopes of finding more survivors, but officials are only able to use helicopters once the weather improves.
The cause of the capsize is still under investigation, but authorities suspect that the incident may be related to human smuggling operations. The boats are believed to have come from Mexico and were seen approaching the beach under cover of darkness. The victims are believed to have been undocumented migrants.
This tragedy has highlighted the dangers and risks associated with human smuggling, which is a major concern for law enforcement agencies along the US-Mexico border. The San Diego area has seen numerous incidents of smuggling boats coming ashore, and it is clear that more needs to be done to prevent these dangerous and often deadly operations. As officials continue their search for survivors, it is a reminder of the very real risks that people face when they attempt to cross the border illegally and the need for greater efforts to address the underlying issues that drive such migration.