(MENAFN) At least eight people lost their lives after two boats capsized near the shore of Black's Beach in San Diego County. The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department continues its search for additional missing victims. The incident occurred overnight, and rescue crews worked throughout Sunday to recover bodies and search for survivors.

According to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Lifeguard Division chief James Gartland, shortly before midnight on Saturday, they received a 911 transfer call from a Spanish-speaking woman. The woman claimed to have been on a panga with 15 people, which overturned in the surf. She managed to make it to the shore at Black's Beach. The woman also reported that another panga carrying eight people had capsized, and there were victims in the water.

The authorities have not confirmed the identities or nationalities of the victims. The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Lifeguard Division noted a 700% increase in human trafficking in the area. Multiple agencies, including the San Diego Fire Department Lifeguards, Customs Border Protection, and the U.S. Coast Guard, responded to the scene.

However, the high tide made it difficult for rescue officials to access the beach, and they had to continue on foot wading through "knee to waist deep water," as fire officials noted. After walking a couple of hundred yards, lifeguards on the beach reached dry sand and started to find lifeless bodies and two overturned pangas spread over an area of approximately 400 yards.

The first lifeguards on the scene recovered seven bodies, and CBP Air and Marine Operations officers found the eighth body. According to Gartland, the eight victims may be from both vessels. Fire officials also found several life jackets and fuel barrels at the scene.

All the victims were adults and were turned over to the SD County Medical Examiner, as confirmed by fire officials. The search and rescue efforts are still ongoing to ensure that no other people are missing or stranded.

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