25 bodies located after scuba diving boat catches fire off California coast, 9 still missing, Coast Guard says

OXNARD, Calif. -- Twenty-five bodies have now been located while nine remain missing and five people were rescued after a boat erupted in flames off the coast of Ventura County early Monday.

The 75-foot Conception was anchored about 20 yards off Santa Cruz Island when the scuba diving vessel caught fire about 3:15 a.m., said Mike Eliason, a spokesman for the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

Multiple agencies responded to the scene, where five crew members who jumped overboard were rescued by a good Samaritan's pleasure craft, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. One of the rescued individuals suffered a broken leg.

The Conception sank in 64 feet of water as firefighters were battling the flames, leaving the bow protruding from the water, officials said.

The identities of the victims who were found dead were not immediately released. There were 39 people on board at the time and nine remain missing.

Of the 25 bodies that have been located, 20 were physically recovered. The remaining five have been located but cannot be recovered because of unsafe conditions under the Conception, Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr Matthew Kroll told the Associated Press.

Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown said it may take some time to identify the deceased because of the condition of the bodies and because they don't have a full manifest of everyone who was on board. It will require DNA testing to identify most of the remains.

Kroll said the search teams were expected to continue working overnight to search for the nine remaining people.

Brown said the situation - a boat fire in the middle of the night, with people trapped at the bottom of a ship - is one of the most difficult operations for rescue crews.

"This is probably the worst-case scenario you could possibly have," Brown said. "Fire is the scourge of any ship," he said.

The boat trip was touted as a Labor Day weekend dive trip that started on Aug. 31 and was scheduled to return Sept. 3. There were six crew members on board and one of them is among the missing.

Passengers who were in the bottom of the ship were likely sound asleep at the time of the fire, Brown said. The boat was in a remote location and there was limited firefighting capability.

"You couldn't ask for a worse situation," Brown said.

At a morning press conference in Oxnard, a Coast Guard spokeswoman said the five crew members were awake and on the bridge of the boat when the flames broke out.

Eight bodies were recovered and five people were rescued after a boat erupted in flames off the coast of Ventura County.

The crew members jumped off and were able to escape on a dingy and were pulled from the water after banging on Bob and Shirley Hansen's boat. The Hansens were told one of the crew members had a girlfriend on board the engulfed boat.

They were also told by the crew that there were three birthday parties on board the boat, including one of a 17-year-old.

The Coast Guard said the boat was inverted on the sea bed in 60 feet of water.

The operation was supported by helicopters, small boats and a patrol cutter.

Family members looking for information about their loved ones are asked to call (833) 688-5551. A family assistance center is being established at Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara. For information, call (805) 696-1188.

The cause of the fire was unknown. Officials said it appears to have been an accident and there are no indications of an intentional act, but the official investigation will take time.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.