At Least 25 People Killed, 9 Missing In California Boat Fire

At least 25 people are dead and nine are missing after a fire broke out aboard a 75-foot commercial diving boat off the coast of Californias Santa Cruz Island early Monday morning.

Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr Matthew Kroll confirmed to the Associated Press late Monday night that the bodies of more than two dozen passengers had been located. Twenty bodies have been recovered from the scene of the accident, but five others that have been found could not be recovered due to unsafe conditions.

The agency said it would continue to search for those unaccounted for throughout the night.

In response to multiple AP reports, we confirm additional victims are being received. Verification to be made by the Coroners Bureau with additional information to be released at tomorrows 10am Press Conference. #Conception

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In response to multiple AP reports, we confirm additional victims are being received. Verification to be made by the Coroners Bureau with additional information to be released at tomorrows 10am Press Conference. #Conception
Santa Barbara County (@countyofsb) September 3, 2019

Thirty-nine people were on board the now-sunken boat when the crew contacted the U.S. Coast Guard for help around 3:30 a.m., Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown told reporters later Monday afternoon. By the time the crew got in touch with authorities, the boat was already engulfed in flames, officials said.

Coast Guard Captain Monica Rochester said people should be prepared for the worst outcome as rescue divers search for the other passengers.

As of 4 p.m. local time, just five people all crew members had been found and rescued. Many of the passengers aboard the boat, which had taken divers out on Saturday and planned to return Tuesday, were asleep and below deck.

You couldnt ask for a worse situation, Brown said of the boats remote location and the fires early morning start time.

Were doing everything we can to see if anybody could have survived this, he continued, noting that the search around the boat and nearby coastline was still underway.