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Search warrants served in California boat fire investigation

conception boat fire.jpg
Posted at 10:07 AM, Sep 08, 2019
and last updated 2019-09-09 00:36:51-04

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (AP) - Authorities are serving search warrants at the California company that owned the scuba diving boat that caught fire and killed 34 people last week.

Santa Barbara County sheriff's Lt. Erik Raney says the warrants served Sunday are part of the ongoing investigation by local and federal officials into the tragedy. He says authorities are searching Truth Aquatics' offices in Santa Barbara and the company's two remaining boats.

Thirty-four people died when the Conception burned and sank before dawn on Sept. 2. They were sleeping in a cramped bunkroom below the main deck and their escape routes were blocked by fire.

The bodies of all but one victim have been recovered. The search for the final victim was suspended until later this week because of strong winds and rough seas.