Coast Guard calls off search for survivors in capsized boat off San Diego

The Coast Guard on Monday called off its search for additional survivors after a boat overturned Sunday off the coast of San Diego, leaving three people dead and several hospitalized. 

The Coast Guard said in a Monday statement that officials suspended the rescue near the Cabrillo National Monument off the California city.

Officials from several agencies accounted for 32 people. Three people were declared dead and 29 people are alive, including five hospitalized in critical condition.

The cause of the boat overturning remains under investigation, according to the Monday statement.

Jeff Stephenson, a supervisory Border Patrol agent in the San Diego sector, told reporters on Sunday that “every indication from our perspective is that this was a smuggling vessel.”

He added that agents were with a man who officials believe was the operator of the boat and a suspected smuggler. 

Capt. Timothy Barelli, the Sector San Diego commander, said in the Monday statement that “Yesterday, we were once again reminded how dangerous these ocean smuggling attempts can be and we will continue to work with our local, state and federal partners to prevent, detect and respond to cases like this to keep the waters of San Diego safe and secure.”

Officials on Sunday said victims of the overturning sustained injuries from the “breaking of the vessel” in rocky waters, hypothermia and more.