At least three individuals lost their lives when a boat capsized near San Diego on Monday, prompting the Coast Guard and sheriff's deputies to initiate an urgent search for additional victims, according to officials.
Alongside the three deceased, at least four others were "taken to local hospitals via ambulances," stated Encinitas Deputy Fire Chief Jorge Sanchez.
A survivor from the panga boat — which is generally a smaller, open, outboard-powered vessel — informed rescuers that there were 18 people aboard, but it remains uncertain how many may still be unaccounted for or if any reached the shores of Torrey Pines State Beach independently, Sanchez noted.
"We're diligently checking to see if there are any others in the water," Sanchez remarked. "As of now, I have no further updates regarding missing or accounted individuals."
The U.S. Coast Guard released a statement indicating that there are nine "missing individuals" following "a report of an overturned vessel" in the waters off Del Mar.
San Diego Sheriff's deputies are also involved in the "maritime incident on the beach near the 200 block of Stratford Court," according to the law enforcement agency.
The search for potential victims involved first responders using helicopters, lifeguards on boats and jet skis, and others combing the beach on foot to locate anyone requiring medical assistance, Sanchez added.