Coast Guard rescues 16 after boat sinks off Baja; about 11 missing

About 1 a.m. PT on Oct 16, 2026, Coast Guard Sector San Diego got a mayday from a vessel sinking about 140 miles west of Ensenada, Mexico, the U.S. Coast Guard says. Crews found only debris. The Coast Guard rescued 16 people, flown to San Diego hospitals; two were in critical condition (San Diego Fire-Rescue via NBC 7). About 11 more are believed missing (AP). The Mexican Consulate in San Diego says the 16 survivors are Mexican nationals (NBC 7). The Coast Guard says the boat was on a route commonly associated with maritime smuggling but has not confirmed smuggling or the total aboard; the cause is under investigation. Searchers included the cutter Active, USS Kingsville, a Navy HSC-23 helicopter and the Mexican Navy; the search was ongoing as of the latest reports from the U.S. Coast Guard, AP, NBC 7 San Diego and Xinhua.

What

Coast Guard rescues 16 after boat sinks off Baja; about 11 missing

Where

North America, Mexico (MX) / United States (US)

When

Oct 16, 2026

Who

U.S. Coast Guard Southwest on X, AP (Spanish), NBC 7 San Diego

Status

reported as stated