BETHEL, AK — Search crews are working to find two people who went missing after a boat overturned near Steamboat Slough, Alaska State Troopers said. The two were reported missing Tuesday afternoon after authorities were alerted by the Bethel Police Department around 4 p.m.
Troopers said the boat overturned in the Steamboat Slough area, prompting a response from local search personnel. Bethel Search and Rescue has been notified and joined the effort as officials try to locate the pair.
Bethel police alerted troopers around 4 p.m. Tuesday
According to Alaska State Troopers, the first notification came from the Bethel Police Department at about 4 p.m. Tuesday. That call informed troopers that two people were missing after a boat accident near Steamboat Slough.
The timing matters because the report of the missing pair came quickly after the overturning was discovered. Authorities have not said how long the people may have been in the water or whether anyone else was on the boat when it capsized.
Bethel Search and Rescue joins the response near the slough
Bethel Search and Rescue has been notified and is part of the search effort. The involvement of local rescue personnel adds additional resources to the response as crews work the area near the waterway.
No details were released about the size of the search, the equipment being used or whether weather and water conditions were affecting operations. Officials have also not said whether the missing people were residents of the Bethel area or visitors.
What investigators have confirmed about the overturned boat
So far, troopers have only confirmed that the boat overturned near Steamboat Slough and that two people are missing. The available information does not describe the type of boat, how the accident happened or whether a distress call was made before the report reached police.
That leaves many unanswered questions about the moments leading up to the incident. Authorities have not announced any suspected cause, and no additional injuries or fatalities were reported in the initial update.
Steamboat Slough sits in a region where waterways are central to travel
Steamboat Slough is part of a landscape where travel by boat can be an important part of daily life. In areas like this, an overturning can quickly become a serious emergency because people may be exposed to cold water and limited visibility.
Officials have not released broader safety guidance tied to this incident, but the response underscores how quickly a routine trip can turn into a search operation. For now, the focus remains on locating the two missing people and accounting for everyone involved.
Authorities have not said when the search may end
At this point, Alaska State Troopers have not provided an estimate for how long the search could continue. They also have not said whether the missing people have been identified publicly or whether family members have been notified.
The latest update indicates only that search efforts are underway and that local rescuers are assisting. More details may emerge as crews continue looking near Steamboat Slough and investigators gather information about the overturned boat.
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