At least four people have died and four more people are being treated in hospital, the Coast Guard announced on Sunday night Swedish time.
Authorities are still searching the seas for people who may have been on board the boat at the time of the accident. Several of the survivors are from Mexico, while others are still unidentified.
"Our crews and partners acted immediately, but this case highlights the serious risks refugees face when attempting to enter the United States by sea on unstable boats," said Robert Tucker, commander of the Coast Guard in San Diego.
