Boat capsizes off California coast

SAN DIEGO (AP)

A small boat believed to be carrying migrants capsized early yesterday off San Diego's coast and left three people dead and four injured, while US Coast Guard crews were searching for seven others, officials said.

Initially nine people were reported missing but later two were found and detained US Coast Guard Petty Officer Hunter Schnabel said. He did not know which agency detained the individuals or why. The US Border Patrol did not immediately respond to an email asking if they were involved.

US Coast Guard petty officer Chris Sappey said it was unclear where the boat was coming from before it flipped shortly after sunrise about 35 miles north of the Mexico border. He described the vessel as a panga, single or twin-engine open fishing boats commonly used by smugglers.

"They were not tourists," Sappey said. "They are believed to be migrants."