(SAN FRANCISCO, CA.) - A pontoon boat carrying 19 people capsized and sank Monday near Alcatraz Island in the San Francisco Bay, leaving one person dead and two others missing as a massive search-and-rescue operation continues.
According to The Guardian, the vessel went down about 600 yards from Alcatraz Island, the iconic tourist destination located roughly one mile north of San Francisco's shoreline. The boat is believed to have departed from near the St. Francis Yacht Club in the city's Marina District.
Photo Credit: U.S. National Park Service / Alcatraz Island
Rescuers pulled 16 people from the water after multiple first responders, including the San Francisco Fire Department and U.S. Coast Guard, deployed boats, divers, and helicopters for the rescue mission.
According to USA Today, the San Francisco Fire Department initially responded to an emergency call for a vessel fire, but later confirmed there was no evidence that the boat had caught fire.
Several survivors suffered injuries after being thrown into the water, though authorities reported there were no injuries related to burns, further supporting officials’ claims that a fire was not behind the tragic sinking.
The waters surrounding Alcatraz are known for strong currents and rapidly changing conditions, making the area one of the more challenging parts of the bay for boaters and rescue crews alike.
The cause of the sinking remains under investigation as rescue teams continue searching for the two missing passengers, and authorities have not said whether the vessel was privately owned or operating as part of a commercial excursion.
Rough seas, strong currents, and shifting winds in the San Francisco Bay continue to create challenging conditions for first responders as operations are still underway.
This is an ongoing story. To add to or correct any information in this report, please contact me at yashi.s@lead4earth.org.
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