Shark-bitten survivors and 11 still missing after a boat capsizes off Mexico’s coast

People were rescued from shark-infested waters, but 11 are still missing after a boat capsized off the Mexican coast. A vessel carrying 27 people ran into trouble in the middle of the ocean off the Baja California coast on Friday night. The alarm was raised around 1 a.m., prompting the US Coast Guard in nearby San Diego to join the search effort.

The boat is believed to have taken on water about 140 miles west of the port city of Ensenada, Mexico. Search and rescue teams arrived in the area and pulled 16 people from the water, according to USA Today. The survivors were taken to hospital, where doctors found injuries consistent with shark bites, the Coast Guard said.

The type of shark was not identified, but the waters off the Baja California Peninsula are home to more than 62 shark species, including great whites and bull sharks. Those pulled from the capsized vessel reportedly spent about 90 minutes clinging to debris while waiting to be rescued. Lieutenant Santiago Tamburini of the US Coast Guard told CBC: “People were holding onto each other, to debris, just treading and trying to stay above water before being rescued.” The boat’s point of departure and intended destination have not yet been made public.

The area is a well-known route for pleasure boats and fishing vessels, though it is also reportedly used by smugglers. All of those rescued are believed to be Mexican nationals.