17-year-old identified among group who died in human smuggling disaster off Black’s Beach

A 17-year-old girl was one of eight people who died after two boats capsized off Black’s Beach late Saturday, March 11, in what authorities said was a human smuggling attempt, according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Alma Rosa Figueroa Gorgonio was the latest victim to be identified on Wednesday, March 15. The Medical Examiner’s Office determined she drowned in the ocean, south of the Torrey Pines Gliderport.

Three others were identified Monday, March 13: Yecenia Lazcano Soriano, 22; Guillermo Suarez Gonzalez, 23; and Eloy Hernandez Baltazar, 48. They, too, drowned, according to the Medical Examiner’s Office.

Authorities were alerted to the tragedy about 11:30 p.m. Saturday when a Spanish-speaking woman called 911. The woman said she and seven others were on a boat that made it to shore while eight to 15 others were on a second boat that capsized.

Lifeguards and other emergency crews found the victims in the water and along the sand at Black’s Beach. They also found two overturned pangas and no survivors, leading officials to believe some people fled before crews arrived. A search for any other victims came up empty.

A spokesperson from the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego said Monday that at least seven of the victims were presumed to be citizens of Mexico based on identification they had on them.