Some dead, 34 unaccounted for after boat fire off California coast

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- A number of people have died and 34 remain unaccounted for after a boat caught fire off Santa Cruz Island in Southern California early Monday morning, local media reported.

Ventura County Fire Department responded to the fire at approximately 3:28 a.m. local time (1028 GMT). The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) is helping support rescue operation for people aboard a dive boat, the fire department tweeted.

Initial reports said the USCG had launched multiple rescue assets in conjunction with local agencies to assist more than 30 people in distress on the boat near Santa Cruz Island.