Two Children Drown As Mehsana Family Attempts Illegal Entry Into The US

Ahmedabad: What began as a desperate attempt to seek a better life in the United States ended in heartbreak for a family from Gujarat, as two children drowned while crossing the U.S.–Mexico border by sea.

The Patel family, originally from Anandpura village in Mehsana district and now settled in Ahmedabad, had reportedly attempted to enter the U.S. illegally via a boat from Mexico. The vessel capsized near the San Diego coast due to rough sea conditions, resulting in the death of their 10-year-old son, Prince. Their 15-year-old daughter, Mahi, remains missing and is presumed dead. Search operations are still underway.

The parents, Brijesh Patel and his wife Jagrutiben, survived the incident and are currently receiving treatment at a hospital in San Diego. They are in the custody of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The Indian Consulate in San Francisco has confirmed the incident and is coordinating with local authorities.

According to officials, the ill-fated boat was carrying 16 passengers when it overturned. Three people have been confirmed dead, including the Patel children, while nine remain unaccounted for. Several Indian passports were recovered from the site, raising concerns of a broader human smuggling network operating in the area. Authorities suspect that the boat had been used multiple times for such illegal crossings.

Family members back in India revealed that Brijesh Patel had been struggling with heavy debts related to his submersible pump business. At one point, the financial strain was so severe that he considered taking his own life. Six months ago, he traveled to the UK legally with his family, but how they ended up in Mexico remains unclear. It is believed they turned to illegal means in hopes of reaching the U.S.

Relatives say the Patels had been living in Ahmedabad for several years. After the tragic news reached them through international media reports, Brijesh’s elderly parents were brought back to Ahmedabad from Anandpura. The incident has shaken the community, highlighting once again the dangers faced by families who risk everything in pursuit of uncertain dreams abroad.

Authorities in both India and the U.S. are continuing investigations into the tragedy, with a focus on dismantling the trafficking networks exploiting vulnerable families.