One person died and two remain missing following a fire that broke out on a pontoon boat near Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay on Tuesday afternoon. At least 17 individuals were rescued from the water, and another person was transported to the hospital.
The San Francisco Fire Department and the U.S. Coast Guard responded to the incident around 3:30 p.m., approximately 600 yards from Alcatraz Island. Upon arrival, the boat had capsized and was leaking fuel.
Officials reported that at least 19 people were on the boat when the fire started. Of those, 13 were accounted for on shore and safe. Three others were taken to the hospital, and emergency responders performed life-saving measures, including CPR, on the individual who later died.
<![CDATA[IMAGE4]]>Search and rescue efforts continued into the evening, with a triage area established ashore. "This is an all hands on deck search and hopefully rescue," said Mayor Daniel Lurie at a press conference.
<![CDATA[IMAGE5]]>The vessel is described as a three-deck "ponton pleasure boat" that is believed to have launched from near the Saint Francis Yacht Club. Most reported injuries are characterized as "impact injuries" sustained from falling into the water, with no immediate reports of burns.
<![CDATA[IMAGE3]]>The water temperature in the bay on Tuesday was between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. The identities of the deceased and missing individuals have not yet been released. An investigation into the cause of the fire is expected to be launched.