Panga Holding 15 People Lands In Dana Point Tuesday

DANA POINT, CA — A panga boat was seen washing up on the shores of Strands Beach in Dana Point Tuesday afternoon, and 15 people were spotted fleeing from the boat by several beachgoers and surfers, Orange County Sheriff's Department reported.

As of Thursday, the 15 panga-riders have not been found. The investigation has since been turned over to the United States Border Patrol.

OCSD started receiving calls about the beached boat at around 7:30 p.m. From there, the department responded with a land unit from Dana Point Police Services, as well as Harbor Patrol and air support, OCSD Sgt. Todd Hylton said. California Border Patrol Office of Field Operations officers and San Diego Sector Border Patrol agents were called to the scene shortly after, but were unable to find any of the people who had fled on-foot.

OCSD deputies searched the panga boat, which had no markings or other forms of identification, Hylton said.

A statement released by officials with San Diego Border Patrol said that none of the people fleeing the panga boat were found in the water. The investigation remains ongoing.