Rescue crews continue extensive search as investigators examine cause of San Francisco Bay accident
SAN FRANCISCO: One person died and two others remained missing after a triple-deck pontoon boat carrying 19 people capsized near Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay on Tuesday, prompting a large-scale search-and-rescue operation involving multiple emergency agencies.
San Francisco Fire Chief Dean Crispen said rescue teams continued searching for the two missing passengers using 11 vessels. The US Coast Guard joined local authorities in the operation as crews combed the waters surrounding the accident site.
Television footage showed the vessel partially submerged before it disappeared beneath the surface. Authorities confirmed that earlier reports of a fire on board were inaccurate.
Emergency teams rescue passengers
According to officials, a police boat reached the scene first and located a critically injured passenger. Emergency responders immediately performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but the victim later died from their injuries.
Authorities said 13 passengers were safely brought ashore, while three others sustained injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. Rescue teams continue searching for the remaining two passengers, with officials saying operations will continue for several hours.
“We are still conducting an active search of the area,” Crispen said, adding that every available resource was being used to locate the missing individuals.
Investigators have not yet determined what caused the vessel to overturn. Officials said the incident remains under investigation.
Strong currents complicate operation
Although weather conditions were sunny and calm at the time of the accident, officials noted that powerful eastbound currents were flowing through San Francisco Bay. Video from the scene showed white-capped waters, highlighting the challenging conditions faced by rescue crews.
Alcatraz Island, located in the middle of San Francisco Bay, remains one of the city’s most visited tourist attractions. The island housed the infamous federal prison between 1934 and 1963 and earned a reputation as virtually escape-proof because of its cold waters and strong tidal currents.
Today, Alcatraz operates as a National Historic Landmark under the management of the US National Park Service, attracting millions of visitors each year. Authorities are expected to continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the boating accident after search operations conclude.
