Ventura County and U.S. Coast Guard officials released conflicting details on a fiery boat incident near Santa Cruz Island early Monday, APA reports citing KTLA.
The Ventura County Fire Department told KTLA 34 people died, but U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Aidan Cooney said he could not confirm that.
The two agencies are handling the incident.
Aidan said five have been taken to a hospital and 34 people were aboard the boat.
In an earlier tweet, at 5:43 a.m., the Coast Guard said “a group of crew members has been rescued (one with minor injuries) and efforts continue to evacuate the remaining passengers.”
The Coast Guard described the vessel as a 75-foot dive boat.
The Fire Department released images from the scene showing the boat engulfed in flames.
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