At least eight people were killed after a fire broke out on a boat off Santa Cruz island in California, authorities said on Monday.

In a news conference, the U.S. Coast Guards said five of the 39 people, including 33 passengers and six boat’s crews, on board were rescued. The fire was reported at 3:15 a.m. local time (1015GMT).

Five people who were rescued were the boat’s crew.

“The crew was already awake and jumped off the bridge into the water,” Rochester said.

The boat was reportedly on a Labor Day weekend cruise taking divers to the Channel Islands.

The search for survivors continues. (Anadolu Agency)