At least 25 are confirmed dead and nine are missing and presumed dead after a 75-foot boat was engulfed in flames on Monday near Santa Cruz Island just off the coast of Santa Barbara. U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Monica Rochester announced the Coast Guard was suspending search efforts.

Thirty-nine passengers and crew were aboard the dive-boat Conception for a scuba diving trip. The thirty passengers slept below deck. Five crew members, sleeping above deck, were able to escape. Two of those had minor injuries. One crew member was lost. 

The names of those on board the Conception have not been released. County officials said Monday that the boat remains unstable, making it difficult for dive teams to recover bodies safely.

The Ventura County Fire Department first responded to a boat fire at approximately 3:28 a.m. local time on Labor Day.

#CoastInc: @VCFD responded to boat fire off the north side of Santa Cruz Island at approximately 3:28am. @USCG helping support rescue operations for people aboard a dive boat. #ChannelIslands @USCGLosAngeles @CountyVentura @SBCOUNTYFIRE pic.twitter.com/DwoPGfBjtA

— VCFD PIO (@VCFD_PIO) September 2, 2019

UPDATE: This photo shows the burned out "Conception just before it sank off the Santa Cruz Island coast. Latest here: https://t.co/k37XtD6Lga (Courtesy: @VCFD_PIO) pic.twitter.com/LEaSkLHYBv

— CBS Los Angeles (@CBSLA) September 2, 2019

Truth Aquatics, a boat rental service based in Santa Barbara, owns the Conception and two other boats. David Reid, a local business owner who has been on these boats, told the AP that these boats are among the best and safest.

Investigators have not determined the cause of the fire.

We pray for  the families and loved ones of those who have been lost.