Thurgau Gold
On the early morning of December 16, the 135 meter long passenger ship Thurgau Gold (MMSI: 269057854) caught fire while on the Rhine near Speyer, Germany. The fire broke out in the vessel’s engine room spewing out smoke. The Thurgau Gold requested assistance with the local fire brigade met the vessel near Speyer. Fire boats assisted the passenger ship to berth allowing fire fighters on board. Fire fighters were able to get the blaze under control within a few hours, but it would take many more hours before the fire was extinguished. Reports state the heat from the fire required the hull to be cooled from water sprayed against the hull.
The 149 passengers and 42 crew were safely evacuated off the vessel to a restaurant in Speyer. Later the same day the passengers were transferred to buses for their return journey. There were no reports of injuries.
Reports state the Thurgau Gold engine room was gutted by the fire with the main engines damaged. The passenger ship would be towed to a shipyard where it will undergo inspection and repairs. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.