A tragic boat capsizing off the coast of California claims the lives of two young siblings while critically injuring their parents
Two children from a Gujarati family tragically lost their lives, and their parents were critically injured after a boat carrying migrants capsized off the coast of Del Mar, California, on Monday. The family was attempting to enter the United States illegally via the sea route, reported gujaratsamachar.com.
The US Attorney’s Office, Southern District of California, confirmed that 14-year-old Prince Patel drowned in the incident, and his 10-year-old sister, Mahi, is presumed dead after going missing. Their father, Brijesh Patel, remains in a coma, while their mother, Jagruti Patel, is hospitalized in San Diego.
The Patel family’s illegal sea journey ended in tragedy as two children lost their lives, and the parents are in critical condition.
The Patel family, originally from Anandpura village in Vijapur taluka and residents of Ahmedabad, had been living in London for the past six months before attempting to make their way to the US.
The boat, a ‘panga’ typically used in maritime smuggling, overturned near the Del Mar shoreline. Local bystanders and San Diego lifeguards responded immediately, but the damage was already done.
Federal authorities have charged five individuals in connection with the smuggling operation. Mexican nationals Julio Cesar Zuniga Luna and Jesus Juan Rodriguez Leyva were arrested at the beach and charged with Bringing in Aliens Resulting in Death and Bringing in Aliens for Financial Gain.
That same evening, US Border Patrol agents arrested three more individuals linked to the incident after identifying vehicles connected to the smuggling attempt. Of the nine migrants initially reported missing from the boat, eight have been located, but Mahi remains unaccounted for.
Investigations are ongoing, and authorities are working to fully assess the situation.