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California boat fire: Major rescue under way as blaze continues California boat fire: Major rescue under way as blaze continues
(32 minutes later)
Emergency services are trying to rescue dozens of passengers onboard a boat which is on fire near Santa Cruz Island, California in the US. Emergency services are trying to rescue dozens of passengers onboard a burning boat near Santa Cruz Island, California in the US.
US media report that at least 30 people are missing with some fatalities but this has not been confirmed by authorities. At least 34 people are missing. There are reports of fatalities but no official death toll so far.
The vessel appears to be a diving boat and reports say some passengers may be trapped below deck.The vessel appears to be a diving boat and reports say some passengers may be trapped below deck.
The Ventura Fire department tweeted photos from fire-fighters at the scene. Five crew members have been rescued. They appear to have been sleeping in the main cabin of the boat.
"It's a large boat, and we know we have numerous fatalities. I don't have an exact number," Bill Nash a spokesperson for Ventura County told CNN."It's a large boat, and we know we have numerous fatalities. I don't have an exact number," Bill Nash a spokesperson for Ventura County told CNN.
Five crew members have been rescued as they were in the main cabin, US Coast Guard chief Aaron Bemis said on CNN. The fire broke out in the early hours of Monday morning, at about 03:30 local time (10:30 GMT), when the boat was located on the north side of Santa Cruz island, in the Channel Islands National Park.
Mr Bemis said the fire was so intense that authorities were unable to board the vessel to put it out.
The fire broke out in the early hours of the morning, at about 03:30 local time (10:30 GMT), when the boat was located on the north side of Santa Cruz island, in the Channel Islands National Park.
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