The US Coast Guard has rescued 26 people from the Pacific Ocean 140 miles off Ensenada, Baja California, with at least 11 people missing, after the boat they were on sank during the early morning hours on Friday, October 16, 2026.
Around 1 a.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector San Diego received a radio distress call reporting a vessel taking on water.
Coast Guard and US Navy helicopters and ships from San Diego scrambled to respond, along with aircraft from US Coast Guard Station Sacramento.
When the rescue parties arrived on scene, the boat had sunk, prompting an urgent search to find survivors in dark, late-night ocean waters.
Several survivors were flown to Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego for medical treatment. One was reported to have suffered a shark bite.
The incident occurred in an area of the Pacific that is a known hotbed of Mexican Cartel human smuggling operations.
“The vessel had a large number of people onboard and was following a route normally used in illegal maritime smuggling operations. Offshore conditions are unforgiving and can quickly result in death.” - Capt. Robert Tucker, Commander, Coast Guard Sector San Diego
The Mexican Navy (SEMAR) also responded and participated in the search for survivors.
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