US Coast Guard Rescues 16 After Boat Sinks Off Baja Coast; Search Continues for 11 Missing

The US Coast Guard has successfully rescued 16 individuals from the Pacific Ocean following the sinking of a boat off the coast of Mexico’s Baja peninsula. The rescue operation was initiated after the Coast Guard received a Mayday call on Friday, reporting a vessel in distress.

An ongoing search is underway for 11 people who are believed to be still missing. The boat reportedly went down approximately 225 kilometers (140 miles) west of Ensenada, Mexico.

According to Coast Guard Lieutenant Santiago Tamburini, a rescue helicopter arrived at the scene about two hours after the Mayday call was transmitted at approximately 1 AM on Friday (08:00 GMT). The Coast Guard crew, which included a rescue swimmer, spent about 90 minutes retrieving the 16 survivors from the water.

Authorities have confirmed that the rescued individuals are Mexican nationals. One survivor is receiving treatment for a suspected shark bite, and two others are in critical condition.

The survivors were airlifted by helicopter to San Diego, California, and subsequently transported to local hospitals. The Mexican consulate in San Diego has stated that it is providing consular assistance to those affected.

The US Coast Guard and the US Navy are continuing their extensive search efforts in the area, deploying two helicopters, a fixed-wing aircraft, a cutter, and a Navy combat ship.

The area where the boat sank is known to be frequented by smugglers transporting migrants to the United States. It is also a popular location for fishing and leisure boats.

Details regarding the boat’s origin, its intended destination, and the purpose of its voyage remain unclear. The Coast Guard reported that only debris, and no vessel, was found, and the type of boat involved could not be determined. Lieutenant Tamburini noted, “Boats in that area can be for fishing, leisure, personal recreation. We just don’t know what they were doing out there. We all know it’s a suspected smuggling route.”