One person died and two others are missing after a boat carrying 19 passengers sank near Alcatraz, the former prison and tourist site in San Francisco Bay, US officials reported. Rescuers responded to a report of a boat on fire approximately 600 yards off Alcatraz Island at around 3:35 pm. Upon arrival, the boat had capsized, and efforts to resuscitate the deceased were unsuccessful. San Francisco Fire Department Lieutenant Elias Mariano confirmed that the search for the two missing individuals would continue through the night. The boat was a privately owned cabin cruiser from Stockton, California. The remaining 16 passengers were rescued, and at least one person sustained severe injuries. The incident was captured in a short Instagram video posted by San Francisco's mayor.
Fire Chief Dean Crispen detailed that rescuers first encountered a boat on fire near Alcatraz. Upon approaching, they found the vessel capsized. Immediate CPR was administered to the deceased, who was subsequently transported to shore and declared dead. Additionally, one dog was confirmed deceased. The cause of the capsizing remains under investigation, and authorities are uncertain whether the boat was headed to Alcatraz. Local television stations broadcasted footage of the boat's final moments before sinking.
The San Francisco Fire Department, local police, and the US Coast Guard are collaborating in the ongoing rescue efforts, utilizing helicopters, planes, and rescue boats. Lieutenant Mariano emphasized the commitment to continuing the search until the missing individuals are found. The incident has prompted an investigation into the circumstances leading to the capsizing and the subsequent rescue operations.
