Three migrants were killed while four others were injured after their boat capsized off San Diego’s Pacific coast on Monday.
Nine people were initially reported to be missing following the incident, with three passengers killed including a 14-year-old boy from India. His 10-year-old sister is among the missing. All except her were found. Local authorities said that the sister is missing at sea and is presumed dead. Their father is among the four people injured and is currently in a coma.
The circumstances leading up to the boat capsizing remain unclear, but Border Patrol agents and local police later arrested two Mexican citizens at the beach near the scene. The two were charged with human smuggling resulting in death and may face a maximum penalty of death or life in prison.
Court documents on the incident indicated that eight other migrants managed to make it to shore, and Border Patrol agents found vehicles with drivers who were on standby to pick up the migrants as part of the smuggling plan.
Three other Mexican citizens would be arrested following this discovery and were charged with unlawfully transporting migrants.
