San Diego boat capsizes killing 4, injuring 24 in smuggling operation

A boat off the coast of San Diego overturned Sunday morning, killing three people and hospitalizing more than two dozen others on board in what authorities suspect was a smuggling operation.

Seven people were pulled from the waves, including three who drowned, San Diego Lifeguard Services Lt. Rick Romero said. One person was rescued from a cliff and 22 others managed to make it to shore on their own, he said.  "Once we arrive on scene, the boat had basically been broken apart," Romero said. "Conditions were pretty rough: 5 to 6 feet of surf, windy, cold."  Three people died at the scene and 27 people were transported to hospitals with "varying degrees of injuries," Homeland Security spokesman Jose Ysea said. Most were able to walk themselves to ambulances.