Search Continues for Missing After Boat Capsizes Off Baja, Survivors Report Shark Attacks
U.S. Coast Guard is aiding in the search for 11 missing individuals after a boat carrying 27 people capsized off the coast of Baja California, with some rescued survivors treated for suspected shark bites.
The U.S. Coast Guard and Navy are continuing a search for 11 people believed missing after a boat carrying 27 individuals capsized off the coast of Baja California, Mexico. Sixteen Mexican nationals were rescued on Friday, with several of them requiring treatment for injuries consistent with shark bites.
Coast Guard crews provided life-saving first aid to the injured survivors during their transit to San Diego. The agency confirmed that the search efforts, which involve multiple aircraft and boats from both the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy, as well as assistance from the Mexican Navy, are ongoing. An additional helicopter was deployed on Saturday to aid in the search.
The incident occurred approximately 140 miles west of Ensenada, Mexico, in an area known to be frequented by smugglers. Authorities stated the capsizing did not take place in U.S. waters. Survivors reported that there were 27 people on board the vessel when it went down.
A mayday call was received around 1 a.m. on Friday, according to Coast Guard Lt. Santiago Tamburini. A rescue helicopter arrived at the scene approximately two hours later, and it took about 90 minutes for the crew, including a rescue swimmer, to retrieve the 16 individuals from the water.
This region is a common area for fishing and leisure boating. However, it has also been the site of fatal attempts to transport migrants from Mexico to the U.S. in the past. In May of 2025, at least three people died when a boat overturned about 35 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. In a notable incident in 2023, eight people perished when two migrant boats capsized in heavy fog near San Diego.
The Mexican consulate in San Diego confirmed that all rescued individuals were Mexican nationals. U.S. Customs and Border Protection is investigating the incident and interviewing the survivors. Survivors who may have witnessed a crime could be eligible for humanitarian parole, potentially allowing them to remain in the U.S. for a limited time.