Spain: 152 passengers on burning Mediterranean ferry evacuate in lifeboats, 4 crew hurt

MADRID – A ferry heading from the Mediterranean island city of Palma de Mallorca to the southern coastal city of Valencia caught fire at sea Tuesday, forcing 152 passengers to abandon the ship in lifeboats and injuring four crew members, Spanish officials said.

Huge plumes of smoke billowed from the vessel after the fire broke out in the ferry’s car parking area about an hour into the journey when the ship was about 31 kilometres (20 miles) from Palma de Mallorca, Spain’s Development Ministry and the ship’s owner said in statements.

All of the passengers made it safely into lifeboats and were picked up by another ferry, according to the ministry and port authorities for Spain’s Balearic Islands.

One of the ferry’s crew was hospitalized for smoke inhalation and three others were treated and released, port authorities and the boat’s owner said, after they were taken in a rescue helicopter to a hospital.

The ferry carrying the passengers arrived back in Palma de Mallorca Tuesday night, where passengers were expected to undergo medical checks if needed in field hospitals set up at port and undergo interviews by authorities about the incident.

The burning ferry was expected to sink and the cause of the fire was under investigation.