Additional Coverage:
San Francisco authorities launched an intensive search Tuesday evening after a pontoon boat carrying 19 people capsized near Alcatraz Island, resulting in one fatality and two individuals still unaccounted for.
The three-level vessel was reported to be on fire around 3:35 p.m. PDT, approximately 600 yards off the island’s shore.
However, fire officials later confirmed there was no evidence of an actual blaze. San Francisco Fire Chief Dean Crispen detailed that emergency responders, including the police marine unit, quickly arrived at the scene and found one person severely injured in the water.
Despite immediate CPR efforts, the victim was pronounced dead upon arrival at Gashouse Cove Marina.
As officers reached the site, some passengers had fallen into the water while others remained trapped inside the boat’s upper compartment. Sixteen survivors were rescued, three of whom were hospitalized at California Pacific Hospital with injuries consistent with falls from the vessel.
Chief Crispen spoke with survivors on shore, noting their distress and concern for those still missing. “They’re incredibly upset and aware of the serious injuries. Their focus is on their friends who were out on the bay with them, and we’re committed to providing them with care,” he stated.
The ongoing search involves 11 vessels working through the evening to locate the two missing individuals. Investigators are examining where the boat launched from, believed to be a nearby yacht club, and whether life jackets were in use remains unknown.
All passengers appeared to be adults, though tragically a dog that was onboard did not survive the incident.
Alcatraz Island, known both for its historic former prison and as a popular tourist destination attracting roughly 1.2 million visitors annually, remains a poignant backdrop to this unfolding tragedy. Authorities continue their efforts to find the missing persons and bring closure to the incident.