Two Indian children are still unaccounted for; search and rescue efforts continue. Early Monday morning, a boat overturned near Torrey Pines State Beach, located off the San Diego coast. As a result, three people died, and seven are still missing.

Indian Family Among Victims

Meanwhile, the Consulate General of India in San Francisco confirmed that an Indian family was also on the boat.
“While two Indian children are missing, the parents are undergoing treatment at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla,” the consulate stated on X (formerly Twitter).

Injured Undergoing Treatment

Additionally, officials reported that four people sustained injuries in the incident. Medical staff at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla are currently treating them.

Consulate Expresses Grief and Support

Soon after the news broke, the consulate expressed sorrow.
“We are very sad to know about the tragic incident… Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims,” it said.
It also confirmed that officials are coordinating with local authorities and providing support to the affected Indian family.

Cause of Accident Still Unknown

At this point, authorities have not revealed what caused the boat to flip. However, rescue operations are in full swing. The US Coast Guard has sent both a helicopter and a boat to assist in locating the missing passengers.

Officials Suspect Human Smuggling

According to US Coast Guard Petty Officer Chris Sappey, the vessel was likely a panga boat. These types of boats are often used by smugglers to transport migrants. “They were not tourists,” Sappey explained. “They are believed to be migrants.”

Migrants Use Sea Routes to Evade Patrols

Increasingly, migrants are risking sea travel to avoid strict land border checks. In most cases, they leave Mexico at night, and travel hundreds of kilometres along the coast, as reported by the Associated Press.

Two Detained, Seven Still Missing

Initially, nine people were reported missing. Later, two were found and detained, said Petty Officer Hunter Schnabel.
However, he didn’t know which agency detained them or why. The US Border Patrol has yet to respond to questions.

Victims Facing Respiratory Issues

According to the hospital, all four injured people suffered from breathing-related problems. Three are in their 30s, while one is a teenager.
Although they were taken by ambulance, no other details were shared by the hospital.