Dozens killed in dive-boat fire

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A Ventura County firefighter at the scene of a dive-boat fire Monday Associated Press/Ventura County Fire Department

Rescue workers have confirmed the deaths of 25 people and say nine others are missing after a fire on a scuba diving boat Monday off the coast of Southern California. The Coast Guard said it received a mayday call about 3:15 a.m. and arrived at the scene to find the Conception engulfed in flames. Five crew members survived by jumping overboard shortly after the blaze broke out.

What do we know about the boat? It left from Santa Barbara Harbor and was carrying 39 passengers and crew members on a three-day trip around the Channel Islands. Local diving enthusiasts said the boat’s owner, Truth Aquatics, had a solid reputation for safety and hospitality. But the below-deck sleeping area of the boat had tightly packed bunks and only one narrow staircase leading out.

WORLD has updated this report with more information about the boat and the number of people killed.

Lynde Langdon

Lynde is WORLD’s executive editor for news. She is a graduate of World Journalism Institute, the Missouri School of Journalism, and the University of Missouri–St. Louis. Lynde resides with her family in Wichita, Kan.

@lmlangdon