Three people are dead and two more were hurt after a bluff collapsed near Grandview Surf Beach in Encinitas.
The collapse occurred at 3 p.m. on Friday when a piece of the cliff about the size of a bus broke off north of the Grandview Beach staircase.
“We are devastated by the tragedy today and our hearts go out to the victims and their families,” said Encinitas Mayor Catherine Blakespear. “We stand ready to help in any way possible. Our engineers and the public safety team are diligently working to assess bluff conditions.”
Two of the three victims that were taken to local hospitals died from their injuries, while one died on the scene. Officials are asked the public to avoid the area and have closed the beaches from Ponto in Carlsbad to just south of Grandview Beach.
Similar bluffs are a common sight along the Southern California coastline and authorities often warn beachgoers about the danger they could pose.
“Encinitas lifeguards here along with the state park lifeguards, we warn people excessively throughout the year… we tell people over and over and over to stay back from these naturally eroding cliffs,” Encinitas Lifeguard Capt. Larry Giles said. “A lot of times people don’t take the warning.”
