On July 14, a tragic incident occurred when a triple-deck pontoon boat carrying 19 people capsized near Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. One person has died and two others are missing, according to officials.
San Francisco Fire Chief Dean Crispen reported in a press conference that eleven vessels are currently searching for the two individuals who are still unaccounted for.
Local news footage showed the boat mostly submerged, with only its top remaining above water before it eventually sank.
The U.S. Coast Guard has joined other agencies in the ongoing search and rescue operations.
The cause of the capsizing is still unknown, and Crispen clarified that there was no fire onboard, contrary to early reports.
A police boat was the first to respond, finding one injured person. Despite efforts to revive them through CPR, that person did not survive.
Of the 19 people on the boat, 13 made it safely to shore, three were hospitalized, one died, and two are still missing, Crispen added.
Crispen emphasized, “We are still actively searching the area. We have 11 vessels working on that search and will continue for hours to find the two missing individuals, if possible.”
Despite the pleasant weather, local news reports noted that the eastbound currents were strong, creating whitecaps on the water.
Alcatraz, a small rocky island in the bay, was home to a federal prison from 1934 until 1963. It was known for being escape-proof due to its strong currents and cold waters. Today, it is recognized as a National Historic Landmark and is overseen by the National Park Service.