Six Dead, Two Missing After Boat Capsizes in Severe Storm on Lake Tahoe

Severe winds and rough waters resulted in multiple boating accidents on Lake Tahoe on Saturday

A boating tragedy struck Lake Tahoe on Saturday afternoon as a 27-foot Chris Craft vessel capsized near DL Bliss State Park on the California side of the lake, leaving six people dead and two others missing. The incident occurred around 3 p.m., according to the U.S. Coast Guard, which attributed the capsizing to large swells and rough weather conditions.

Authorities responded to reports of 10 individuals struggling in the water amid waves reaching up to eight feet. Emergency services, including the Coast Guard, California State Parks, and the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDCSO), launched immediate rescue efforts.

The Coast Guard said the boat capsized around 3 pm on Saturday reportedly due to a large swell

Two survivors were rescued and transported to a local hospital for treatment. Rescue teams recovered six bodies, while search efforts for the remaining two missing individuals resumed early Sunday morning, supported by the sheriff’s office and dive team.

The identities of the victims have not been released pending notification of next of kin. Officials confirmed that more details will be provided as the investigation progresses.

Initial emergency response included CPR attempts on two victims who were pulled onto nearby rocks. A lifeguard rescued another individual from the water onto a Coast Guard vessel, but the person was later pronounced dead.

The boat capsized during a heavy storm, with witnesses reporting that waves reached as high as eight feet

Witnesses described a chaotic and harrowing scene, with helicopters circling the area as late as 9 p.m. in search of the missing boaters. The incident occurred as a powerful storm swept across the region, rapidly deteriorating lake conditions.

Joby Cefalu, a longtime boat captain on Lake Tahoe, described the scene as the worst he’s witnessed in decades. "It was a very, very tragic day on Lake Tahoe," he said, noting that hypothermia support stations were set up at nearby marinas to treat survivors.

According to the National Weather Service, conditions on the lake became extreme in a short time. Between 2:15 and 4:15 p.m., temperatures plummeted from 54°F to 37°F, while wind gusts reached up to 45 mph over the lake’s center. The storm also brought a trace of snow to the area.

Local authorities and the Coast Guard announced that they would be returning to the lake on Sunday morning to search for the two missing passengers

Local boater Conor Bugbee, who assisted with rescue efforts, reported that gale-force winds and choppy waves caused multiple vessels to collide. "The situation escalated within minutes, catching many of us off guard," he said.

Authorities are continuing search operations and investigating the sequence of events that led to the deadly capsizing.