Authorities told NBC News, among other media outlets, that at least three people died after a small vessel capsized in the Pacific Ocean, north of San Diego. The U.S. Coast Guard also said they were searching for nine people who had gone missing.

NBC reported that a survivor said 18 people were aboard the panga when it capsized. Encinitas Deputy fire chief Jorge Sanchez was quoted as saying this. He said that at least four people had been taken to local hospitals via ambulance. However, it was not clear how many others were still missing.

In a social media post, the U.S. Coast Guard announced that they were searching for nine missing people off Del Mar in California, approximately 20 miles (32km) north of San Diego. This was after receiving a reported of an overturned boat. The boat was discovered on the beach around 6:30 am PDT.

Coast Guard spokesperson Hunter Schnabel reported to the San Diego Union Tribune that a survivor had told first responders that one or two missing children were among those who had been found.

The Coast Guard and the Encinitas Fire Department did not immediately respond to requests for comments. Reporting by Karen Freifeld, New York; Editing and proofreading by Frank McGurty & Cynthia Osterman

(source: Reuters)