At least 34 feared dead as 75ft dive boat bursts into flames off the coast of California: Huge rescue operation launched after vessel caught fire while passengers were sleeping below deck
The vessel caught fire near Santa Cruz Island off the coast of Southern California at around 3.30am Monday
34 passengers who were sleeping below deck when the fire erupted are missing
Five crew members were rescued and 34 people who were sleeping below deck are currently missing
Rescue efforts were still underway as of 7.30am as the Coast Guard waited for the boat to stop reigniting so officers could get onboard and check for survivors
The dive boat, called Conception, is operated by Truth Acquatics and based at Santa Barbara Harbor
By MEGAN SHEETS
DAILYMAIL.COM
2 September 2019
Dozens of people are feared dead after a 75-foot dive boat burst into flames off the coast of California.
The vessel was anchored near Platts Harbor on the north side of Santa Cruz Island when it caught fire in the middle of the night while passengers were sleeping below deck.
Five people have been rescued and 34 people are currently missing, according to Santa Barbara County Fire Department PIO Mark Eliason.
‘They are unaccounted for, but it’s very foggy out there,’ Eliason told CNN.
‘We’re still holding hope that someone may have swam to shore. When they anchor overnight they’re pretty close to shore. We have to hope, but we plan for worst case scenario.’
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