3 Dead After Boat Overturns Off San Diego

Authorities in San Diego were searching the waters off San Diego after a boat capsized on Monday, reports NBC News. At least three people were dead, four others were transported to hospitals, and the Coast Guard tweeted that it was looking for nine missing people. "Potentially nine more individuals are unaccounted for," said Coast Guard spokesperson Adam Stanton, per the San Diego Union-Tribune. "That nine number doesn't mean they are in the water. They could have made it to shore." Details remained scant, but one survivor told rescuers there were 18 people were aboard the 12-foot boat that washed ashore at Torrey Pines State Beach, per Fox5 San Diego and the AP. "

"We upgraded this to a major medical response due to the number of potential victims that we had on the beach with this boat," said Jorge Sanchez of the Encinitas Fire Department. The boat was described as a panga, which is typically used for fishing but is also commonly used by human smugglers, notes the AP. When asked if human smuggling might be a factor, Sanchez said that was unconfirmed. Sheriff's Lt. Nick Backouris described the vessel as an "old, beat-up boat," the Union-Tribune reports. (More San Diego stories.)