A boat capsizes off Mexico’s Baja California coast has left 11 people missing, while 16 Mexican nationals were rescued from the Pacific Ocean and taken for medical assessment.
The incident happened early Friday, October 16, 2026, about 225 kilometres west of Ensenada, Mexico, after authorities received a distress call reporting that a vessel was taking on water and sinking.
The U.S. Coast Guard said survivors reported that 27 people had been aboard the boat.
Rescue teams later found debris and pulled 16 people from the water.
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Boat Capsizes: Search continues west of Ensenada
U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy crews continued searching on Saturday with aircraft and vessels, while the Mexican Navy also took part in the operation.
Officials said no additional survivors had been located in the latest update, leaving 11 people still unaccounted for.
The search area was being assessed using information about currents, waves and wind, with crews examining the debris field for signs of people who may have drifted away from the original location.
Several survivors suffered serious injuries
Several of the rescued people had injuries considered consistent with shark bites, according to the Coast Guard.
Coast Guard personnel provided emergency first aid while transporting survivors toward San Diego.
Hospital officials said some survivors were treated for suspected shark-bite wounds or cold exposure, while two people were reported to be in critical condition in the initial response.
The 16 rescued people were identified as Mexican nationals by the Mexican Consulate in San Diego, which also visited hospitals and offered assistance.
Authorities investigate circumstances of boat capsizing
The vessel was reportedly travelling along a route associated with maritime smuggling, but officials have not established the purpose of the journey or confirmed how the boat went down.
The Coast Guard said the incident occurred outside U.S. waters, but American crews launched a response after receiving the distress call and reports of people in the water.
Authorities have not released the names of those rescued or those still missing.
What happens next
Search teams are expected to continue coordinating across the U.S.-Mexico maritime area as weather, sea conditions and available information are assessed.
The response will also help determine whether more survivors can be located and clarify the boat’s route, ownership and final destination.
For families waiting for information, the Mexican consulate and emergency agencies are expected to remain the main sources of identification and medical updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people were rescued after the boat capsized off Baja California?
Sixteen people were rescued from the Pacific Ocean and taken for medical assessment.
How many people are still missing?
Eleven people are believed to remain missing after survivors reported that 27 people were aboard the boat.
Where did the boat capsize?
The incident occurred about 225 kilometres, or 140 miles, west of Ensenada, Mexico.
Were any survivors injured?
Yes. Several survivors had injuries considered consistent with shark bites, while others were treated for cold exposure. Two people were initially reported to be in critical condition.
Who is searching for the missing people?
The U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy and Mexican Navy are participating in the search.
Fact-Checked: Key figures, location, rescue response and search status were checked against U.S. Coast Guard information and corroborated emergency-response reporting.
Disclaimer: The number of missing people and medical details may change as authorities identify survivors and release further updates.