The vessel that capsized off the coast of Imperial Beach, Nov. 14, 2025. The Coast Guard launched rescue crews from Sector San Diego, Air Station San Diego, Maritime Safety and Security Team Honolulu and Cutter Petrel. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard)
Four people died and five others were injured early Saturday when a boat capsized off Imperial Beach in an attempt to smuggle migrants, authorities said.
“This morning at approximately 12 a.m., San Diego Sector Border Patrol agents responded to a maritime smuggling event south of the Imperial Beach Pier. During the smuggling event the vessel was seen capsizing in the surf,” Border Patrol Agent Gerardo U. Gutierrez said in a statement.
“Multiple agencies responded to assist in search and rescue efforts. A total of nine people were recovered from the scene. Five were rescued and taken to local area hospitals for treatment and four were confirmed deceased,” Gutierrez said. “This event remains under investigation.”
The incident, in heavy surf as the region endured a substantial rainstorm, occurred near South Seacoast Drive and Encanto Avenue, Imperial Beach Fire Chief John French said in an interview with Sideo TV.
One body was recovered near where the boat capsized. Three more bodies were found near the IB pier, French said.
The U.S. Coast Guard added more details in the afternoon in a statement, saying that searchers continued to look for more victims.
#SanDiego Mass Casualty Incident: 4 Confirmed Dead, 5 Transported After #PangaBoat Capsizes in Imperial Beach
📹 @619NewsMedia pic.twitter.com/lDS7DB94QJ
— Sideo TV (@SideoTV) November 15, 2025
The response was prompted by a 1:45 a.m. report from a “good Samaritan,” the Coast Guard said, who had spotted a person in the water near Imperial Beach Pier.
A Coast Guard Station San Diego boat crew located three people in the water, who were transferred to Ballast Point. Medics pronounced all three dead.
On the beach, medics pronounced another person dead. One person was found under the capsized vessel and rescued.
Four of the boat’s occupants were transported to a hospital, and one individual was taken into custody by Imperial Beach Border Patrol, the Coast Guard said. Several of those who were rescued claimed Mexican nationality, but others remain unidentified.
Capt. Robert Tucker, the Coast Guard’s Sector San Diego commander, said, “Our crews and partner agencies responded immediately, but this case demonstrates the severe risks posed to (those) attempting to enter the United States by sea in unstable vessels.”
A Station San Diego boat crew and a Coast Guard Air Station Ventura crew continued the search Saturday.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, Chula Vista Fire Department, U.S. Navy and the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office also responded to the scene.
Updated at 3:30 p.m., Nov. 15, 2025
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