Ahmedabad: A Patel family from Gujarat's Mehsana district faced a devastating tragedy when their attempt to enter the United States illegally ended with the death of their two children.
Fourteen-year-old Prince Patel was confirmed dead, and his 10-year-old sister, Mahi, remains missing and is presumed dead.
Their parents, Brijeshkumar and Jagruti Patel, survived but are hospitalized in critical condition.
Key Facts:
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The boat capsized on May 5, 2025, near Torrey Pines State Beach, north of San Diego.
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The vessel was carrying 16 migrants in a suspected human smuggling operation.
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The Patel family had left India in October 2024 on a visitor visa to the UK, with relatives unaware of their plans to enter the US illegally.
The Patel family's journey began in October 2024 when they departed India on a visitor visa to the United Kingdom.
Relatives believed they were vacationing in London, unaware of their intentions to cross into the United States via Mexico.
The family's attempt to reach the US culminated in tragedy when their boat, a panga commonly used in smuggling operations, overturned in rough seas.
Anil Patel, Brijeshkumar's uncle, recounted the family's shock upon learning of the incident through news reports and subsequent confirmation from the Indian Embassy in San Francisco.
"We only wish that a member of the family is allowed to go and meet them," he expressed, highlighting the family's anguish and desire to support their hospitalized relatives.
This incident mirrors a similar tragedy in 2022 when a Gujarati family from Dingucha froze to death while attempting to cross the US-Canada border.
Both families hailed from Mehsana district, underscoring the recurring risks associated with illegal migration from the region.
US Attorney Adam Gordon emphasized the dangers of human trafficking, stating, "The drowning deaths of these children are a heartbreaking reminder of how little human traffickers care about the costs of their deadly business."
He affirmed the commitment to seeking justice for the victims and holding traffickers accountable.
Do You Know?
In 2022, four members of a Gujarati family from Dingucha froze to death while attempting to cross the US-Canada border, highlighting the recurring dangers faced by migrants from Mehsana district.
Key Terms:
Panga: A small, flat-bottomed fishing boat commonly used in Mexico and Central America, often employed in human smuggling operations.
Human Trafficking: The illegal transportation of individuals, typically for the purposes of forced labor or commercial sexual exploitation.
Visitor Visa: A non-immigrant visa for individuals wishing to enter a country temporarily for business, tourism, or medical treatment.