A desperate search for survivors followed a deadly maritime incident early Saturday morning after a small boat capsized off the coast of San Diego, resulting in four confirmed deaths and injuries to five others.
The tragedy unfolded near Imperial Beach at approximately 12:30 a.m. Local authorities and emergency crews immediately launched a major search-and-rescue operation that continued through the night.
One person was initially found deceased in the water, while three other victims were discovered near the beach, according to officials. The identities of the deceased have not yet been released pending family notification.
Footage from the scene captured the grim reality as crews worked in the dark, utilizing helicopters and vessels to search for anyone who may have survived the frigid waters. Five survivors were pulled from the incident and subsequently transported to a local hospital for treatment. Their current conditions are unknown.
The response involved multiple agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, and the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.
“We have Coast Guard still out there, you know, looking out there in the water to see if there are any other bodies out there,” Fire Chief John French told reporters from the scene, underscoring the ongoing efforts to ensure all persons involved have been accounted for.
One witness, who was fishing on the Imperial Beach pier at the time, recounted seeing the rescue effort unfold. “We were out here, like, chilling with our friends – me and my brother and his two other friends,” he told Sideo TV. “We noticed that the helicopter was circling around us,” he added, noting that he saw one of the victims unresponsive in the water.
The cause of the capsizing remains under investigation as authorities continue to process the scene and gather details about the vessel and its occupants.
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