A woman told police she was raped by a man at about 4:30 a.m. Tuesday near a Carson Beach bath house in South Boston.

State police responded to the area around 6 a.m. after a passerby observed a “woman in distress,” according to a department release.

Police said, based on their preliminary investigation, a group of people – “most likely members of the homeless community” – were gathered near the bath house, and one of the men present allegedly raped the woman.

The woman was transported to Boston Medical Center by emergency personnel and remains hospitalized undergoing examination, according to police.

Police said the incident is under investigation and detectives are working to develop a description of the suspect.