Multiple fatalities have been reported after a boat with at least 30 people aboard burned early Monday morning off the coast of Southern California.
Ventura County Sheriff’s officials confirmed multiple deaths, NBC News reported. Five crew members were rescued and 34 people are unaccounted for, fire officials said.
The US Coast Guard said the 75-foot boat Conception, which left from Santa Barbara Harbor, was reported on fire north of Santa Cruz Island off the Ventura County coast.
“The Coast Guard has launched multiple rescue assets along with assets from local agencies to assist more than 30 people in distress,” the agency said in a tweet. “The vessel was reported as being on fire. A group of crew members has been rescued and efforts continue to evacuate the remaining passengers.”
It was not immediately clear how many others are still on the boat. Details aboutthe casualties also were not immediately available.
Conception was described by authorities as the type of vessel used for diving excursions. It was not clear whether it was on a diving trip at the time of the fire.
Santa Cruz Island is the largest in the Channel Islands chain off Southern California.
Photo Credit: Ventura County Fire Department
Source: NBC Los Angeles
Be First to Comment