Six people have died and two others remain missing after a boat capsized on Lake Tahoe on Saturday afternoon, local authorities have confirmed.
The incident occurred near DL Bliss State Park when a 27 foot vessel was reportedly struck by a large swell, causing it to overturn. The U.S. Coast Guard and emergency services responded swiftly to distress calls, but were met with tragic scenes on arrival.
According to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office (EDSO), six fatalities have been confirmed. Two survivors were rescued from the water and transported to a nearby hospital for treatment, while a further two individuals are still unaccounted for.
In a statement issued on Saturday evening, the sheriff’s office said: “EDSO search and rescue, along with the EDSO dive team, will return to the area in the morning to continue search operations.” The identities of the deceased are being withheld until next-of-kin notifications are completed.
Lake Tahoe, which straddles the border between California and Nevada, is renowned for its clear blue waters and draws millions of visitors each year. However, on Saturday, conditions on the lake turned perilous. Local reports, including from South Tahoe News, cited unusually high winds in the afternoon which whipped up waves and created dangerous boating conditions.
“It was a very, very tragic day on Lake Tahoe,” said Joby Cefalu, a local boat captain, in an interview with the outlet.
Authorities have urged the public to exercise extreme caution on the water as search efforts continue.
