LOS ANGELES — The U.S. Coast Guard rescued at least 16 people from the Pacific Ocean off Mexico’s Baja California coast on Friday, Oct. 16, and about 11 others were believed to be missing, the Associated Press reported.
The rescue happened in an area where smugglers are known to carry migrants toward the United States in small boats.
What happened
The Coast Guard responded around 1 a.m. to a May Day call saying a vessel was sinking. By the time crews reached the area, they found no boat, only debris. A Coast Guard official said people were holding onto each other and to debris, treading water to stay afloat, when they were pulled out.
One person who was rescued said as many as 27 people had been on board. That is how officials arrived at the figure of roughly 11 people still missing. The Coast Guard has said it is unclear what type of boat was involved and why it was in the area.
Condition of the survivors
- Those rescued were taken to hospitals in San Diego.
- One person was being treated for a suspected shark bite.
- Two people were in critical condition, according to authorities.
- Three people were taken to Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego. They included the person with the suspected shark bite and two people treated for cold exposure, a hospital spokesperson said.
- Two of the people rescued were Mexican nationals.
The search
The Coast Guard and other U.S. agencies took part in the rescue. The Mexican Navy in Ensenada also launched its own search and rescue operation. The Coast Guard said it was still searching for the missing.
A dangerous stretch of water
Small boats called pangas often leave Baja California in the dead of night and sometimes travel hundreds of miles north. Several smuggling boats have capsized in the area over the years in deadly accidents. In May 2025, at least three people died when a panga flipped about 35 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border.
What’s next
Officials have not said how many of the missing have been found, or what caused the boat to sink. This story will be updated as the Coast Guard and the Mexican Navy release more information.
