34 missing after boat catches fire off California coast

At least 34 people are unaccounted for after a scuba diving boat caught fire off of Santa Cruz Island, California, on Monday around 3:30 a.m. PT. The Coast Guard launched "multiple rescue assets" after the predawn distress call came from the 75-foot boat; at least five crewmembers who were sleeping on the ship's top deck were confirmed saved. A Coast Guard spokesman said that "the fire was so intense that even after it was put out we were not able actually to embark the vessel."

Fire Capt. Brian McGrath confirmed that there were fatalities but told the press "I can't give you a number because the Coast Guard is still searching the water."

As of 6 a.m. PT, the Coast Guard was still carrying out its rescue operation and "checking to see if any survivors had jumped off the boat or made it to the rocks," CBS Los Angeles writes. Santa Cruz Island is the largest of the Channel Islands, off the coast of Ventura County, near Santa Barbara. Jeva Lange

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This is a breaking news story and has been updated throughout.