Ferry fire

A rescue effort brought 249 people to safety after a ship caught fire on the way from northern Germany to Lithuania.

The Lisco Gloria, a Lithuanian passenger and car ferry had set off from Kiel when, at midnight, there was an explosion on the upper deck, Germany's Central Command for Maritime Emergencies in Cuxhaven said.

The cause of the accident appears to have been a technical fault in one of the trucks that were travelling on the ferry, officials said, following rumours that the explosion was terrorist-related.

"Of course the police will investigate this further, but it seems to have been an accident," the maritime spokesman said.

Six vessels, including the Scandlines ferry Deutschland, moved in to carry out the rescue as the blaze spread on the ship. Passengers were forced to swim or cling to life rafts.

Injuries, smoke inhalation

Some 28 people were injured or suffered from smoke inhalation, a police spokesman said. Emergency doctor Michael Corzillius said that 23 people, including three children and a baby had to be taken to hospital.

"People are very weary," said police operations leader Uwe Marxen, referring to those rescued. "They have had a difficult time."

The fire was still ablaze as rescue workers managed to anchor the ship near to the Danish island of Langeland. Efforts were then made to stop the fire and prevent the ferry from sinking while the vessel was doused with water jets.

The nationalities of those rescued included German, Russian, Lithuanian, Latvian, Danish and Argentinian, the police spokesman said.

The Lisco Gloria, built in 2002, was operated by DFDS Seaways on the route between Klaipeda and Kiel three times a week.

Author: Richard Connor (AP/AFP/Reuters/dapd)
Editor: Ben Knight