Eleven Missing After Boat Capsizes Off Baja California, U.S. and Mexican Forces Join Search

Eleven people are still missing after a boat capsized off the Baja California coast on Oct 16, prompting a joint U.S.–Mexican search. Survivors said 27 passengers were on board; 16 Mexican nationals were rescued on Friday, including one treated for shark bites. The capsizing occurred about 225 kilometres west of Ensenada, an area known for both leisure fishing and migrant smuggling attempts. A mayday call was sent around 1 a.m. on Saturday; a Coast Guard helicopter arrived two hours later and spent 90 minutes pulling the rescued passengers from the water. Search assets now include a Coast Guard helicopter, a fixed‑wing plane, a cutter, a Navy combat ship and assistance from the Mexican Navy, with another helicopter slated to join later on Saturday. Petty Officer Charlie Valor said the assets were deployed to help the survivors. The Mexican consulate in San Diego confirmed all rescued were Mexican nationals. Customs and Border Protection is interviewing survivors, and those who witnessed a crime may qualify for humanitarian parole to stay in the U.S. temporarily. Three rescued people were taken to Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego, one for the suspected shark bite and two for cold exposure; three others were evaluated at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla and later released. Rescue efforts continue as authorities scour the area for the missing.## Context