A woman who may have been fatally injured in a fall was found dead Sunday evening in the Sunken City area just east of Point Fermin in San Pedro, Los Angeles firefighters said.

Rescuers received an emergency call about 5:20 p.m. and discovered the body after searching the site from the ground, air and water, said Erik Scott, a Fire Department spokesman.

Scott said the body was removed by helicopter, and police are investigating to determine whether there was foul play.

Coroner's officials said the identity of the woman will not be released until next of kin are notified.

The Sunken City is an old residential neighborhood that has collapsed into the sea because of unstable ground. It began slipping into the ocean in 1929 and was a point of interest for decades until it was fenced off for safety reasons.

-- Dan Weikel