Suspected Smuggling Boat Capsizes Off San Diego, Leaving 2 Dead, 23 Injured

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - A vessel capsized off the coast of the US city of San Diego, leaving two people dead and over 20 injured, who were taken to local hospitals for treatment, the city's fire and rescue service reported on Sunday.

According to CNN, most of the victims do not have life-threatening injuries, but three of them require urgent medical attention.

"@SDLifeguards and SDFD firefighters at Cabrillo Monument on the overturned vessel incident. 24 persons were on board. Many patients transported to hospitals. @USCG Fed Fire & many other agencies assisting", the rescue service tweeted.

The San Diego Lifeguard later confirmed the number of casualties.

Multiple agencies including @SDLifeguards rescued 25 people from the water. Sadly, two did not survive. 23 were taken to local hospitals. Federal agencies are still searching the water in vessels and aircraft.

— SDFD (@SDFD) May 2, 2021

Media reports say that the victims of Sunday's incident were sailing in a panga - a medium-sized fishing vessel often used by smugglers to illegally bring people from Mexico into the United States.

The cause of the accident remains unknown.