Three people lost their lives and nine remain missing after a small boat believed to be carrying migrants capsized off the coast of Del Mar, near San Diego, early Monday morning, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
The incident has triggered a large-scale search and rescue operation involving Coast Guard vessels, helicopters, and local law enforcement, as authorities continue to search for survivors.
U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Chris Sappey said it was unclear where the boat was coming from before it flipped shortly after sunrise about 35 miles north of the Mexico border. He described the vessel as a panga. Pangas are open fishing boats commonly used by smugglers….