1 dead as suspected smuggling boat, US vessel collide
Mexico is calling for an investigation after a boat packed with migrants suspected of trying to enter the U.S. illegally collided with an American border vessel off California's coast, capsizing the migrant boat and leaving a woman dead, authorities said.
The crash also left one person from the boat seriously injured and two more with minor injuries, Mexico's Foreign Relations Department said in a statement that also called for the probe.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection vessel spotted the suspected human smuggling boat near Encinitas in San Diego County before dawn Thursday and ordered it to stop. The 20 people on board were suspected of attempting to enter the country illegally, said Jackie Wasiluk, a CBP spokeswoman.
Agents ordered the boat to stop and fired warning shots but the 26-foot vessel ignored them, she said.
The two boats collided. The suspected smuggling vessel capsized, tossing everyone into the water, and sank.
The CBP crew pulled people from the water. An unconscious woman was airlifted to a hospital, where she died, authorities said.
