Search suspended for more potential victims of Saturday’s boat crash off San Diego

Search halted for potential CA boat crash victims

SAN DIEGO — The Coast Guard has suspended its search for more potential victims of the crash of a small boat packed with suspected illegal immigrants off the San Diego coast.

One person died when the 30-foot boat overturned before dawn Saturday in the surf at Torrey Pines State Park.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Henry Dunphy says boats and helicopters spent 32 hours searching 144 square miles for other survivors.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection says 16 people, all Mexican citizens, have been accounted for. It’s unclear how many people were aboard the boat before the crash.

Officials say it was likely a human smuggling operation from Mexico.