Three children died and seven other individuals were rescued after a recreational boat capsized on Geneva Lake in southeastern Wisconsin during a rapidly intensifying storm on July 3, authorities reported.

The vessel was carrying 10 people—six adults and four children—when severe weather conditions developed unexpectedly, according to a statement from the Geneva Lake Law Enforcement Agency. Strong winds and heavy waves quickly created dangerous conditions on the lake, prompting the boat’s occupants to attempt a return to shore. Investigators said the boat became overwhelmed by the adverse weather, took on water, capsized, and eventually sank.

Rescue crews retrieved six adults and one child from the water. A search was immediately launched for the three remaining children, who were later found and transported to area hospitals, where all three were pronounced dead. Officials confirmed that all four children on board were wearing life jackets at the time of the incident. The victims’ identities have not been released pending family notification. Reports indicate that the children were all under the age of 13.

The Geneva Lake Law Enforcement Agency, alongside the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, is conducting a joint investigation into the incident. Authorities indicated that the circumstances remain under review, with no further information currently available. Requests for additional details from the Lake Geneva Police Department were not immediately returned.

The boating tragedy occurred amid a broader severe weather event affecting the region. Thunderstorms swept through southern Wisconsin on the same day, causing extensive damage across Walworth County. Emergency dispatchers received multiple calls reporting downed trees, power lines, structural damage, and people trapped indoors.

Walworth County Undersheriff Tom Hausner cautioned residents to avoid the area due to scattered power lines and debris blocking roads, which hindered emergency response efforts. Lake Geneva Mayor Todd Krause declared a local emergency in the aftermath of the storm. Aside from the boating fatalities, officials reported one individual sustained minor injuries from a falling tree, and numerous power outages disrupted the region.