Los Angeles, May 6 (UNI) At least three people were confirmed dead, and nine others remain unaccounted for after a boat washed ashore near San Diego, California, on Monday morning, authorities said.

Multiple agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), responded to reports of an overturned vessel off the coast of Del Mar at approximately 6:30 a.m.

The boat was discovered just north of Torrey Pines State Beach and is suspected to have been involved in a smuggling operation, according to media reports.

A survivor told first responders that nine people were missing, including one or two children, a USCG spokesperson said.

Search and rescue operations are currently underway off the coast of Del Mar. Agencies involved in the search include the USCG, San Diego Fire-Rescue helicopters, a 45-foot Coast Guard response vessel, as well as lifeguards using rescue boats and personal watercraft.

Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla reported receiving four patients – three women and one man – all being treated for respiratory failure. Two of the patients are in their 30s, one is a teenager, and the age of the fourth patient was not immediately available, a hospital spokesperson said.

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