US Coast Guard rescues at least 16 and is searching for more in Mexico's Baja Coast

LOS ANGELES — At least 16 people seen floating in the Pacific Ocean off Mexico’s Baja California coast were rescued in the predawn hours Friday and authorities were searching for several others, a U.S. Coast Guard official said. Petty Officer Chris Sappey said at about 1 a.m. PT several people were spotted floating in the water about 140 miles west of Ensenada. Sappey said it was unclear why people were in the water and no vessel has been found. He said one person who was rescued said as many as 27 people were on board a boat. Sappey had no further details about what the people were doing. “There was no sight of a vessel in the water, just straight people in the water,” Sappey said. Those being rescued were being taken to hospitals in San Diego, Sappey said. The Coast Guard was assisting Mexican authorities in the search efforts with a helicopter, fixed-airwing plane and a cutter, Sappey said. Migrants are increasingly turning to the risky alternative offered by smugglers to travel by sea to avoid heavily guarded land borders, including off California’s coast. Pangas leave Mexic