() — At least eight people have died after a boat capsized off the coast of Black’s Beach in San Diego County, California, authorities said, responding to the scene Saturday around 11:30 p.m. local time after that someone on another panga boat, a type of small fishing boat powered by an outboard motor, called 911 to report casualties in the water, according to the San Diego Fire and Rescue Department.
The first rescuers were unable to access the beach due to high tide and had to wade through “waist-deep water,” the statement said.
Lifeguards initially saw only seven bodies, but later found another with the help of US Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, the department said.
The bodies were taken to the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office, according to the statement.
Multiple agencies responded to the incident, including the fire department, the San Diego Police Department, US Customs and Border Protection and the US Coast Guard, the agency said.
The Coast Guard and border protection officials are scheduled to hold a joint press conference on the incident on Sunday, according to authorities.