A deadly maritime disaster struck San Francisco Bay on Tuesday afternoon when a pontoon pleasure boat caught fire and sank near Alcatraz Island, claiming one life and leaving two people missing in the water.
The vessel ignited shortly after 3:30 PM while traveling between Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge, according to the San Francisco Fire Department. The fire ultimately caused the boat to sink, forcing all passengers into the bay and triggering a massive emergency response.
Nineteen people were aboard the pontoon boat when disaster struck. Emergency responders managed to pull 16 people from the water, but one person was killed in the incident. Two passengers remained unaccounted for as of Tuesday evening, with rescue crews continuing their search operations.
Aerial footage captured by KTVU FOX 2 documented the harrowing scene as the boat disappeared beneath the surface while rescue vessels converged on the location. The San Francisco Fire Department coordinated with the U.S. Coast Guard and additional emergency crews to conduct water searches throughout the afternoon and into the evening.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, and officials have launched an investigation into the incident. The area between Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge is a popular route for recreational boating, making Tuesday's tragedy particularly shocking for the local maritime community.
Rescue operations continued through Tuesday evening as crews worked to locate the two missing passengers. The swift response by multiple agencies prevented what could have been an even greater loss of life, though the search for survivors remains ongoing.
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Ava Hart
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