Mexican Boat Capsizes, 1 American Killed

A San Diego based Coast Guard Search and Rescue Helicopter left Monday morning to search for seven Americans missing from a chartered fishing boat that sank in the Sea of Cortez in Mexico.

Reportedly, several of the people on board the boat are American citizens. Coast Guard has confirmed one American died during the accident.

Of 44 people on the boat, seven U.S. tourists were missing along with one Mexican crew member, said navy Capt. Benjamin Pineda Gomez. All others were rescued.

The Erik, a 100-foot (32-meter) tourist fishing boat, capsized early Sunday morning about 60 miles (100 kilometers) south of the Baja California port of San Felipe. Pineda said two giant waves hit the boat, causing it to tip over.

The boat Launched from San Felipe, Mexico and sank near Isla San Luis Mexico, around 2:30 a.m. Sunday morning, Coast Guard officials said.

No one knew of the accident until Sunday afternoon, when another fishing boat rescued three people. Other reports said that at least one passenger swam ashore and had to hike to get help.

The Mexican Navy searched for survivors throughout the day on Sunday, with surface and air crews.

The Mexican Navy asked the Coast Guard for help on Sunday evening, according to Coast Guard spokesperson Henry Dunphy.

The fishing vessel reportedly had 44 people on board.

The boat left San Felipe on Saturday carrying 17 crew members and 27 tourists, all U.S. citizens, for a seven-day fishing trip, Pineda said.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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