US: Migrant-smuggling boat capsize leaves 8 dead off San Diego coast
California boat mishap
Two suspected migrant-smuggling boats sank off the coast of southern California on Sunday (March 12), killing at least eight people, according to rescuers, as reported by AFP.
"We lost eight souls," the lifeguard chief for the city of San Diego, James Gartland, told a press conference.
"This is one of the worst maritime smuggling tragedies that I can think of in California, certainly here in the city of San Diego," he added, with reference to clandestine migration into the United States.
The disaster occurred at night in a place that Gartland called "hazardous" because of sand bars and in-shore rip currents, although it was unclear what specifically caused it.
He stated that just before midnight on Saturday, a Spanish-speaking person called the 911 emergency line and reported that two small, open boats — one carrying eight people and the other carrying 15 — had capsized at Torrey Pines beach in San Diego, a city close to the Mexican border, trapping about 23 people between them.
Disclaimer:WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos, and videos on social media.
)
'Affront to our sovereignty': Bangladesh slams India over Sheikh Hasina's Delhi press conference
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
'Time to step away': Cambridge's youngest Black professor resigns amid plagiarism row - What we know
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why are people charging their phone in airplane mode? Know science and benefits behind it
)
'I was almost trafficked in Paris,' says Australian woman, shares terrifying ordeal - 'I am on the black market'
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Did Trump's helicopter nearly collide with a passenger jet? US launches probe
)
Several Indian states ban analogue paneer: Experts explain what it is and the health risks | WION Decodes
)
Ukrainian astronomers see gargantuan objects dashing at 39,600 kmph on the Moon - 'They can reach Earth in 20 minutes'
)
The genetic roots of Tamils: 75,000 DNA markers decoded in latest study of Sangam-era settlement
)
UP gangster Atiq Ahmed's son, on way to meet jailed brother, killed in road accident in Jhansi
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (August 3-9, 2026): Main Vaapas Aaunga, Uyir, Operation Safed Sagar- 6 titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Who is Shreya Kalra? Meet the social media star who lifted the Lock Upp 2 trophy
)
Former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal convicted in 2013 sexual assault case by Bombay High Court
)
Mark Zuckerberg apologises to Indian government over harmful content, platform errors amid PM video row
)
Trump administration refunds $100 billion in tariffs after Supreme Court ruling
)
CJP's Saurav Das alleges YouTubers broke into his house, seeks Delhi Police action
)
‘Pakistan called for ceasefire, we kept them waiting’: Ex-CDS Anil Chauhan recalls Operation Sindoor
)
Strait of Hormuz deal with Oman being ‘finalised’: Iran’s foreign ministry
)
Ex top Pakistan official blames economic woes on China: Here's how CPEC became a failure
)
Munir-protege Mohsin Naqvi’s claim of unearthing huge scam triggers tremors in Pakistan’s power corridors
)
'Dhoni Made Fleming Great': Panesar says ECB made the wrong choice for England Test coach
)
'I would like to support...': Sonam Wangchuk reveals if he will join Jharkhand student protesters in Ranchi
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian tanks are much lighter compared to US tanks
)
Scientists find descendants of ancient sea creatures trapped under Antarctica's Blood Falls
)
What’s happening in Nepal? How did a local clash turn into communal violence? WION Decodes
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
Lightning bolt strikes football field in Thailand, killing a player during a match
)
Sajeeb Wazed raises Indian security concerns, calls Bangladesh a 'failed state'
)
India deploys joint outbreak response team as Chandipura virus spreads in Gujarat, Rajasthan
Rescuers could not find any survivors, but some "may have left the beach" by the time the teams arrived, according to Gartland.
He stated that all of the deceased were adults and that he was unsure of their nationalities.
ALSO READ |Lufthansa flight crew asked passengers to erase pictures, videos of mid-air turbulence: Report
Illegal crossings have risen during Joe Biden's presidency. According to the Associated Press, several migrants have turned themselves in to Border Patrol officers and have been permitted to stay in the nation while they pursue their cases in immigration court.
Many migrants from South and Central America slip through US borders, frequently facing great dangers with the aim of making it to the country.
(With inputs from agencies)
WATCH WION LIVE HERE: