Mexico: The US Coast Guard has rescued 16 people from the Pacific Ocean after a boat sank off the coast of Mexico’s Baja California, while a search operation continues for 11 others believed to be missing.
The Coast Guard stated that it responded to a Mayday distress call reporting that a boat was sinking approximately 225 kilometres (140 miles) west of Ensenada, Mexico. A rescue helicopter reached the scene about two hours after the distress call was transmitted at around 1 am local time, according to Coast Guard Lieutenant Santiago Tamburini.
The rescue operation took approximately 90 minutes, with a Coast Guard crew, including a rescue swimmer, pulling 16 people from the water. The Mexican consulate confirmed that all those rescued were Mexican nationals.
One survivor was being treated for a suspected shark bite, while two others were reported to be in critical condition, authorities remarked. The rescued individuals were airlifted to San Diego, California, before being transported to hospitals for medical treatment. The Mexican Consulate in San Diego also confirmed that it was providing consular assistance.
The search for the 11 missing people is ongoing, with the US Coast Guard and Navy deploying two helicopters, a fixed-wing aircraft, a Coast Guard cutter and a Navy combat ship to search the surrounding waters.
Authorities highlighted that the boat sank in an area known for maritime activity, including fishing, recreational boating and suspected migrant smuggling operations. However, officials have not established the vessel’s origin, destination or purpose.
According to the Coast Guard, search teams found debris in the area but did not locate the vessel itself. Officials also pointed that it remained unclear what type of boat was involved in the incident. Tamburini noted that, “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.”
The circumstances surrounding the sinking remain under investigation as rescue teams continue their efforts to locate the missing individuals.
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