One dead, six missing as tourist boat capsizes and sinks in storm off Mexico

At least one person died and six are missing after a tourist boat capsized and sank in an electrical storm off the coast of Mexico.

Holidaymakers including 27 U.S. citizens were forced to jump into the water in the dark when the 115-foot chartered boat ran into serious trouble at 2.30am local time near the Baja Califoia Peninsula.

A rescue effort assisted by the U.S. Coastguard was today continuing with desperate attempts to find the missing people.

In total, 44 people were on board the boat and many had time to put on life jackets and swim ashore when it foundered.

However, because of the remote nature of the shore, some of the survivors reportedly had to walk several miles to raise the alarm.

'(The helicopter) should be there around 8am (Pacific time) to assist with rescue efforts,' Coast Guard official Benny Minton said.

The boat, called the Erik, was found around 87 miles south of San Felipe, a popular holiday and fishing resort located south of Mexicali.

According to an Inteet advertisement, the Erik has been operating in the Sea of Cortez since 1989 and can sleep up to 42 guests.

'We are still looking for the rest of the people. The weather is really bad right now, with strong wind,' said local port official Felipe Vallecillo.

Vallecillo said weather conditions were normal when the boat set sail on Saturday.