Pontoon Boat Capsizes in Deadly Incident Near Alcatraz

A trip on the bay near Alcatraz ended in disaster Tuesday afternoon, SFGate reports. A three-level pontoon packed with 19 people capsized about 600 yards off the island, leaving one person dead, two missing, and 16 rescued from the cold San Francisco waters, officials said. The vessel, described as a "pleasure boat," was believed to have launched near a San Francisco yacht club. The victim who died was pulled from the water and CPR was performed, but they were later pronounced dead, Fox News reports.

Fire Chief Dean Crispen said the vessel was mostly submerged when crews arrived after a 3:30pm distress call initially reported as a boat fire; authorities now say they've seen no sign of flames. Some aboard were hurt in the fall into the water, but there were no burn injuries. The motor was still running and fuel was leaking when responders arrived, the AP reports. One dog on the boat also died. Divers, helicopters, and 11 boats are searching for the missing, with Mayor Daniel Lurie calling it an "all-hands-on-deck" effort. Rescued passengers were taken to Gashouse Cove Marina.