16 days after US boat capsize, missing Gujarat girl's body found

Time of India

2 days ago

Ahmedabad: The devastating cost of illegal migration was laid bare once again when the body of a 10-year-old girl was recovered on a California beach. Mahi Patel had gone missing after a smuggling boat carrying illegal migrants capsized more than a fortnight ago.
Her 14-year-old brother Prince died in the same incident, while her parents remain hospitalized; one still in a coma.
The Patel family, who hailed from Mehsana district in North Gujarat, had paid over Rs 2.60 crore to human traffickers.
Mahi's remains were discovered by a passerby at the Torrey Pines State Beach, San Diego, on May 21. Her identity was confirmed through DNA testing, according to a statement issued by the California State Parks Department on Thursday.
Official documents from the investigating agency state: "The decedent was one of multiple passengers upon a panga (small fishing vessel) that capsized on May 5 at Del Mar Beach. A passerby on May 21 found human remains on Torrey Pines State Beach and contacted law enforcement. Her parents were notified of DNA testing confirming that the remains belonged to the decedent." The cause and manner of death are currently pending further investigation.
The boat had capsized due to rough ocean conditions, and emergency responders were immediately dispatched following a 911 call. At the time, Mahi was reported missing, while the bodies of Prince and at least two other migrants were recovered from the scene. Mahi's father, Brijesh Patel, was found unconscious and remains in a coma, while her mother, Sangita, is critically injured and hospitalised.
This tragedy is part of a broader case involving human smuggling operations targeting migrants from India, particularly Gujarat.
The Patel family had reportedly paid around Rs 65 lakh per person to traffickers who were operating from Kalol and were part of a larger human smuggling network that spanned Mexico, the US, and India.
The Patels were part of a group of 10 individuals, including four others from Gujarat whose identities remain unconfirmed.
US federal agencies have charged five individuals in connection with the case, including two Mexican nationals and three Americans.
The charges include "bringing in aliens resulting in death" and "transportation of illegal aliens for financial gain". One of the accused was previously deported in 2023.
According to available data, at least 11 Indian migrants have lost their lives in similar incidents since Jan 2022. The Patel family's journey, and its devastating outcome, is a heartbreaking reminder of the risks that families are willing to take to chase the American dream.