At least eight people lost their lives after two smuggling boats capsized near Black’s Beach in San Diego County, California, according to local officials.
The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department responded to a 911 call on Saturday evening reporting victims in the water. One boat carrying eight people made it to shore while the other, carrying 15, overturned in the surf.
Lifeguards, US Customs and Border Patrol, and the US Coast Guard were sent to the beach, and rescuers entered the water to recover the bodies of the victims who had drowned.
None of the victims were wearing life jackets. The cause of the incident remains unclear, but weather conditions were foggy with little visibility. The region has seen a spike in human trafficking incidents since 2017.
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