Boat Capsizes Near Torrey Pines: 3 Dead, 7 Missing

A suspected migrant-smuggling boat capsized early Monday morning off the coast of Torrey Pines State Beach, resulting in three confirmed deaths, four hospitalizations, and seven people still missing, authorities said.

The U.S. Coast Guard initially reported nine missing individuals, later updating the count to seven. The ongoing search has involved multiple agencies, including California State Parks, the U.S. Border Patrol, Del Mar Lifeguards, and the San Diego Sheriff’s Department. 
A Coast Guard helicopter and a 45-foot response vessel have been deployed in the rescue effort.

The incident occurred around 6:30 a.m. when hikers witnessed the small vessel—described as a 12-foot panga boat—overturning near shore. Lt. Nick Backouris of the San Diego Sheriff’s Department confirmed that a doctor hiking nearby rushed to help after seeing CPR being performed on the beach.

Authorities transported four injured survivors to local hospitals with injuries ranging from mild to severe, according to Encinitas Deputy Fire Chief Jorge Sanchez. “This has the potential to be a mass casualty event,” he added, depending on the outcome for those still missing.

Seventeen life jackets were recovered from the scene, though officials remain uncertain how many people were originally aboard the open-style panga,  which is often used for smuggling rather than tourism.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Chris Sappey stated, “They were not tourists. They are believed to be migrants,” though he later clarified that the passengers' immigration status has not been officially confirmed. CNN has reached out to U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further details.

The National Weather Service had issued a small craft advisory for the area Monday morning, warning of hazardous marine conditions.

This incident comes just over a year after a deadly 2023 smuggling attempt in San Diego waters, when two boats capsized in heavy fog, 
killing eight people in one of the deadliest maritime smuggling tragedies in U.S. history.

The investigation into Monday’s capsizing is ongoing.