One migrant died trying to swim from Mexico into the United States and 13 others were rescued from the Pacific Ocean in San Diego late Friday night, Border Patrol officials said Saturday.
The woman, who died in the water, was believed to be part of an attempt by a group of an estimated 70 people to illegally enter the U.S. by swimming around the border barrier and making their way to the beach at Border Field State Park, said U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson Jackie Wasiluk.
The incident was reported shortly after 11:30 p.m., bringing Border Patrol agents, CBP Air and Marine officers, Coast Guard crews, San Diego firefighters and lifeguards, and California State Parks personnel to the shoreline.
Authorities tried to revive the woman but she died at the scene.
The Coast Guard deployed a helicopter as part of search and rescue efforts, said Coast Guard Public Affairs Specialist 1st Class Adam Stanton.
“We grabbed 13 people out of the water and took them to shore, handing them to the Border Patrol because it is their jurisdiction to process them and get them back to where they need to be,” Stanton said.
Border Patrol agents took a total of 36 Mexican nationals — 25 men and 11 women — into custody, including the 13 rescued. All were taken to a nearby Border Patrol station for processing. Officials did not say if there were any injuries.
Coast Guard personnel, firefighters and California State Parks workers continued to search the area in efforts to locate any other people in distress.
“This is yet another example of the ruthless tactics smuggling organizations use to bolster their power and profits,” San Diego Sector’s Chief Border Patrol Agent Aaron Heitke said in a statement. “We will work tirelessly to pursue and bring to justice those responsible for this tragedy.”
The maritime route — particularly by boat — has grown increasingly popular in the past couple years as authorities have tightened border enforcement on land.
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