Ferry with 335 people on board bursts into flames in the Baltic Sea after explosion in its engine room
- Regina Seaways was heading to port of Klaipeda, Lithuania, from Kiel, Germany
- Reports say 335 are on board while operator says 294 passengers are stranded
- A blaze is said to have broken out after an explosion in the ship’s engine room
- Passengers gathered at muster stations for possible evacuation, but it wasn’t necessary because the ‘situation is under control’, Danish operator DFDS said
A ferry carrying 335 people is on fire in the Baltic Sea after an explosion in the engine room.
The Regina Seaways was heading to the Lithuanian port town of Klaipeda from Kiel, Germany when it sent out a distress call at 10.45am.
Lithuanian military has sent a helicopter with two more on standby if needed.
Danish ferry operator DFDS said 294 passengers were among those stranded after the ship ‘had an engine breakdown’.
A ferry carrying 335 people is on fire in the Baltic Sea after an explosion in the engine room. The Regina Seaways (file picture) was heading to the Lithuanian port town of Klaipeda from Kiel, Germany when it sent out a distress call at 10.45am
The company said that the malfunction produced smoke, which triggered the ship’s fire extinguishing system in the engine room.
No passengers or crew members have been injured, according to a statement.
DFDS said passengers were assembled at muster stations in preparation for a possible evacuation, but it wasn’t necessary because the ‘situation is under control.’
The statement said that the extent of the damage wasn’t yet fully known.
A spokesman said the ferry would be towed to the Lithuanian port town of Klaipeda.
Advertisement