On July 30, the 294 meter long, 68126 dwt container ship Pumba (IMO: 9302566) caught fire in the Red Sea near Ras Gharib, Egypt. Reports state the blaze started in the Pumba‘s engine room and the container ship requested assistance. Egyptian authorities requested four private petroleum company tugboats to assist in the firefighting and rescue operations. The joint efforts were able to extinguish the fire with no reports of casualties. The Pumba sustained damage to the main engine and was towed to a safe anchorage area. No reports of pollution released.
On the evening of July 26, the 30 meter long wooden ro-ro passenger ferry Ida (MMSI: 219003541) caught fire on the Storstrømmen near Bogø, Denmark. The Ida had departed from Stubbekøbing bound for Bogø when a fire broke out in the engine room. The ferry was just a few meters away from the harbour at Bogø as smoke and flames could be seen from the stack. Local fire brigade was alerted who were on site a short time later. After several hours, fire fighters were able to contain the blaze to the engine compartment. The extent of damage caused by the fire was not disclosed.
Authorities reported that there were no injuries. The ferry remained out of service as authorities determined the damage and necessary repairs. The Ida is the primary method of transport between port on Bogø to Stubbekøbing on Falster. The Ida was built in 1958 and was designed to carry up to 98 passengers and 12 vehicles.
On the afternoon of July 20, the passenger ferry KM Barcelona VA (MMSI: 525301973) caught fire in the Celebes Sea off the northern coast of Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. The KM Barcelona VA departed from the Talaud Islands headed for Manado with approximately 300 passengers when a fire broke out in the upper deck of the ferry. Thick black smoke billowed out of the superstructure as fire spread through out the vessel. Both crew and passengers were forced to jump into sea as the fire gutted the ferry.
The Indonesian Navy, Coast Guard and local fishermen all engaged in a search and rescue mission looking for survivors. Reports state that 284 people were rescued along the 5 bodies were recovered. Authorities continued to search for survivors as the total number of passengers and crew was not known.
Photo: liputan6.com
Photo: liputan6.com
Photo: liputan6.com
Photo: anewz.tv
Photo: antaranews.com
Photo: rri.co.id
Last report stated the KM Barcelona VA remained afloat after the fire was extinguished and would be taken under tow. Authorities have not reported the cause of the fire. News reports state the KM Barcelona VA had been delayed prior to its scheduled departure. There is some speculation the ferry was not in working order when it left port.
