Over 30 feared dead after boat engulfed in flames off California coast
Dozens of people are missing after a large fire broke out on a boat off the coast of California. The US Coast Guard deployed multiple crews to tackle the blaze which sank the vessel near Santa Cruz Island.
The incident took place just before 3:30am on Monday when the 75-foot scuba diving boat ‘Conception’ caught on fire. At least 38 people were on board, according to the US Coast Guard.
#CoastInc: @VCFD responded to boat fire off the north side of Santa Cruz Island at approximately 3:28am. @USCG helping support rescue operations for people aboard a dive boat. #ChannelIslands @USCGLosAngeles @CountyVentura @SBCOUNTYFIRE pic.twitter.com/DwoPGfBjtA
— VCFD PIO (@VCFD_PIO) September 2, 2019
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Five crew members who were sleeping on the top deck of the vessel were rescued by a good Samaritan crew in a pleasure craft called ‘Grape Escape’, however a number of additional passengers asleep on a lower deck remain missing.
Crews from the Coast Guard, Santa Barbara Fire Department, Ventura County Fire Department and Vessel Assist responded to the incident. The fire department crews were fighting the blaze when the vessel sank 20 yards off shore in 64 feet of water.
In a press conference on Monday morning a Coast Guard spokesperson said its full efforts were still in a “response posture”, searching for survivors. The searches are being carried out in the water and on land in case any survivors managed to reach the shore.
The coast guard announced later on Monday afternoon that four bodies had been recovered near the vessel, adding that 29 were still missing.
Local news outlet KTLA earlier reported that 34 people were dead after the blaze broke out on the 75-foot boat near Platts Harbor. The coast guard responded by both air and water and nearby vessels were called to help rescue the passengers, the station reported.
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Over 30 feared dead after boat engulfed in flames off California coast
Source: RT