US Coast Guard said that dozens of people are missing after a massive blaze broke out on a 75-foot scuba diving boat off the coast of California. Multiple US Coast Guard crews were deployed to fight the fire.
Five crew members who were sleeping on the top deck of the scuba diving vessel when the fire broke out were rescued, however 34 additional passengers asleep on a lower deck remain missing, Lieutenant Commander Matthew Kroll of the Coast Guard said.
Local news outlet KTLA earlier reported that 34 people were missing after a blaze broke out on the 75-foot boat near Platts Harbor.
Coast Guard Los Angeles responded to reports of a fully engulfed boat fire off Santa Cruz Island around 5am. The coast guard responded by both air and water and nearby vessels were called to help rescue the passengers, the station reported.
The coast guard said on Twitter: “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.”
The coast guard added that a group of crew members has been rescued, with one person suffering from minor injuries. Efforts are continuing to evacuate the remaining passengers from the 75-foot boat.
