WATCH: Tragedy at Popular American Lake – 6 Dead!

Red and white ambulance driving on a city street.

A peaceful day on Lake Tahoe turned into a nightmare when a relentless storm unleashed its fury, causing a tragic boating accident.

See the video below!

Six lives were lost, two remain missing, and families are left shattered.

The mishap unfolded Saturday, June 21, 2025, near D.L. Bliss State Park, shaking the local community and raising serious concerns about weather preparedness and safety.

A 27-foot Chris-Craft vessel was tossed by massive swells, prompting a desperate distress call—”10 people in the water”—to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Search and rescue teams arrived swiftly, but the waters claimed six souls before they could be reached.

As two surviving passengers were rushed to the hospital, the frantic search continued for the others.

Alas, the identities of the deceased remain undisclosed pending next-of-kin notification.

A sudden storm system bulldozed through the area, creating dangerous conditions with snow and fierce winds clocking at 40-45 mph.

The relentless gales whipped up perilous 6- to 8-foot waves, described by experienced local captain Joby Cefalu as “worse than 30-foot waves on the sea.”

Multiple agencies, including the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office and California State Parks, leapfrogged into action for ongoing search operations.

The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office stated the “EDSO search and rescue, along with the EDSO dive team, will return to the area in the morning to continue search operations.”

The aftermath of the accident left Tahoe Keys Marina bustling with volunteers.

A triage unit was established by a local boat captain for hypothermia victims, highlighting the community’s heart-wrenching yet resilient response.

“It was a very, very tragic day on Lake Tahoe,” Navy Captain Joby Cefalu lamented, echoing the sentiments of many who are reeling from the incident.

While the search persists, regrets and heartache plague all involved.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR