US launches search and rescue mission for two missing after boat capsizes near Alcatraz, one dead

American authorities launched a search and rescue operation Tuesday night off the coast of California after a boat carrying more than a dozen passengers capsized, killing one person and two more remain missing.

The boat, which sank near Alcatraz Island off the coast of San Francisco, has been described as a three-deck recreational pontoon boat that was carrying 19 passengers at the time of the incident.

Local authorities said 13 of the passengers were rescued and are safe, while three others were taken to the hospital to be treated for impact injuries caused by hitting the water. 

Another person suffered serious injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene after CPR was administered, according to ABC News. Two people remain missing.

"We are still conducting an active search of the area," San Francisco Fire Department Chief Dean Crispen said. "We have 11 vessels on the water conducting that search. We are going to continue for hours to make sure that we find these two missing people, if possible." 

The San Francisco Fire Department said it was initially responding to reports of a fire breaking out on the boat, but no evidence of a fire has been confirmed so far.

The cause of the boat capsizing and sinking into the bay has not yet been identified. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.