A beached panga boat with more than 570 pounds of marijuana was seized by Ventura County Sheriff's deputies Saturday off Pacific Coast Highway at Deer Creek Road. Panga boat
Imperial Beach, California – A search effort is underway after a panga boat capsized in rough surf early Saturday morning, leaving four people dead and several others injured near the Imperial Beach Pier.
The U.S. Coast Guard, Imperial Beach fire crews, and federal agencies responded just after dawn, after reports that a small vessel overturned south of the pier, throwing passengers into cold, choppy water. In a press release, authorities confirmed that four people died at the scene, three of whom were found near the pier. A fourth body was located farther north, drifting just feet from homes near Seacoast Drive and Encanto Avenue.
Five people were rescued from the surf and taken to local hospitals with minor injuries. One additional person was transferred into the custody of a Department of Homeland Security agency.
Imperial Beach Fire Chief John French said the passengers were believed to have been transported from Mexico by human smugglers. Several individuals told authorities they were Mexican nationals, while others have not yet been identified.
“Patrol agents had watched the boat cross the border then got the report it turned over, throwing people into the water,” French said. He noted that the conditions at the time were dangerous, with strong waves and cold water temperatures that made survival difficult.
Residents living along the shoreline woke to emergency sirens and rescue crews combing the beach. Ed Winchester, an Imperial Beach homeowner, said the tragedy highlights the risks faced by migrants attempting maritime crossings.
“My heart goes out to those folks,” Winchester said. “The cartels have made a lot of money transporting people across the border. This is just another example of that.”
The incident is under investigation by federal and local authorities, who are also working to determine whether more victims may still be unaccounted for. The Coast Guard continued search operations through the afternoon.
The Imperial Beach Border Patrol Station oversees six miles of land border stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the San Ysidro Port of Entry, a region that has seen a rise in maritime smuggling attempts in recent years.
Officials have not released the names of the victims. Authorities say the investigation remains active.
