At least 30 people are trapped on a burning boat off the coast of southern California, with unconfirmed reports of casualties, possible fatalities and a rescue operation underway. Coast guard and fire department personnel from Ventura County are rushing to assist people on a 75ft boat near Santa Cruz Island, close to the cities of Santa Barbara and Los Angeles.
The US Coast Guard says it has launched several boats to help more than 30 people “in distress” off the coast of southern California.
Tweets from the Coast Guard in Los Angeles said there were reports the people were on a boat that was on fire near Santa Cruz Island.
One tweet said some crew members had been rescued, and rescuers were working to evacuate the remaining passengers. One crew member had minor injuries.
Everyone is accounted for in the boat fire at Santa Cruz Small craft harbor pic.twitter.com/LKcc0fDvwx
— Phillip Gomez (@KSBWPhil) January 31, 2017
In the video above, rescuers are putting out a boat.