A cruise ship had to evacuate everyone on board after a fire broke out while it was en route to Singapore on Friday, Feb. 20
Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore/Facebook
NEED TO KNOW
- A fire broke out on a cruise ship sailing towards Singapore on Friday, Feb. 20
- A member of the crew died on board the World Legacy vessel, which was carrying 609 people, while four other people were rushed to the hospital
- “Passenger and crew safety is our top priority,” said a spokesperson from Singapore-based travel agency Dragon Cruises
At least one person is dead and four others are recovering in the hospital after a fire broke out on a cruise ship sailing towards Singapore.
At around 4 a.m. local time on Friday, Feb. 20, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) received reports of a fire on the Liberia-registered passenger vessel World Legacy, said the MPA in a news release. There were 271 passengers and 338 crew members onboard at the time of the incident, per a follow-up MPA news release.
Passengers were evacuated at HarbourFront Ferry Terminal as the crew brought the blaze under control. Singapore Civil Defence Force’s (SCDF) marine firefighters eventually extinguished the fire, which occurred in the lounge area on deck nine, The Straits Times reported, citing preliminary findings shared by the MPA.
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Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore/Facebook
Paramedics and other emergency personnel provided medical treatment as needed. However, one person was pronounced dead at the scene and four others had to be rushed to the hospital for further treatment.
“The deceased crew member, an Indonesian national, has been transferred ashore,” said the MPA in a news release. “The relevant authorities are handling the necessary follow-up, and the Indonesian embassy in Singapore has been informed."
“MPA has established a safety zone around the vessel and is issuing navigational broadcasts to advise passing vessels to keep clear,” the MPA news release continued, adding, “The cause of the fire is under investigation.”
MPA patrol craft, the Police Coast Guard and the SCDF Marine Division attended the vessel, which is currently anchored at Raffles Reserved Anchorage, per an MPA news release.
Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore/Facebook
Photos shared on the MPA’s Facebook page show first responders evacuating passengers wearing life jackets from the cruise ship.
Singapore-based travel agency Dragon Cruises manages the brand responsible for the World Legacy vessel. They are fully cooperating with the authorities’ investigation, according to The Straits Times.
“Passenger and crew safety is our top priority,” a spokesperson told the outlet.
A representative for the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, the Singapore Civil Defence Force and travel agency Dragon Cruises did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for further comment on Friday, Feb. 20.
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