Many feared dead as 75ft boat bursts into flames off California
At least 34 feared dead as 75ft dive boat bursts into flames off the coast of California: Coast Guard launches huge rescue operation after vessel caught fire while the passengers were asleep
- US Coast Guard confirmed rescuers pulled more than 30 people from the water
- Ventura County officials told local media that 34 people had died
- The 46-passenger vessel reportedly caught fire near Santa Cruz Island
- Emergency crews received a call at about 3.30am local time on Monday
- The rescue efforts were still underway as of 6.30am PST
- The Ventura County Fire Department tweeted two photos of the boat up in flames as rescuers worked to remove everyone onboard
Dozens of people are feared dead after a 75-foot dive boat burst into flames off the coast of California.
The US Coast Guard confirmed rescuers pulled more than 30 people from the water and Ventura County Fire Department officials told KTLA that 34 people had died.
The vessel reportedly caught fire near Platts Harbor on Santa Cruz Island in the middle of the night while passengers were sleeping.
Emergency crews received a call just before 3.30am local time on Monday, and rescue efforts involving multiple agencies and personal watercraft were still underway as of 6.30am PST.
Ventura County PIO spokesman Bill Nash said the death toll is unclear but there are believed to be ‘numerous’ fatalities.
Dozens of people are feared to have died after a 75-foot boat burst into flames off the coast of Ventura County by Santa Cruz Island in California overnight Monday
The US Coast Guard confirmed rescuers pulled more than 30 people from the water and Ventura County Fire Department officials told KTLA that 34 people had died
The vessel reportedly caught fire near Platts Harbor on Santa Cruz Island at around 4am
‘It’s a large boat, and we know we have numerous fatalities. I don’t have an exact number,’ Nash told CNN.
He said the fire was about 20 miles off the coast of Channel Islands National Park.
‘We are not sure where it falls jurisdictionally; it’s Coast Guard, Santa Barbara or Ventura,’ he said.
‘Where that plays in, after we figure out what we’ve got, it’s where to transport the bodies.’
The boat, dubbed Conception, is believed to be owned by diving company Truth Aquatics
The boat called Conception is owned by diving company Truth Aquatics and based in Santa Barbara Harbor, harbor Patrol Officer Nathan Alldredge told CNN.
Alldredge said there were at least 30 passengers onboard and the bout was ‘fully involved in flames’.
Conception reportedly departed from Santa Barbara Harbor on Friday night for a Labor Day weekend trip to the pinnacles of San Miguel Island and was expected to return Monday evening, according to the Truth Aquatics website.
The boat has sleeping space for 46 passengers.
The Ventura County Fire Department tweeted two photos of Conception up in flames as rescuers worked to remove everyone onboard.
USCG Los Angeles confirmed the incident on Twitter at about 5.30am, writing: ‘The Coast Guard has launched multiple rescue assets along with assets from local agencies to assist more than 30 people in distress on a 75ft boat near Santa Cruz Island.
‘More details will be available later as this operation continues.’
About 30 minutes later the agency tweeted: ‘The vessel was reported as being on fire. The a group of crew members has been rescued (one with minor injuries) and efforts continue to evacuate the remaining passengers.’
Santa Cruz Island is seen above in a file photo
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