Burning Ferry Evacuated in Mediterranean Sea Off Spain

MADRID, April 28 (Reuters) – Emergency companies rescued 156 folks on Tuesday from a burning ferry crossing the Mediterranean from the island of Mallorca to the Spanish port of Valencia, the ferry operator and authorities officers mentioned.

The Sorrento ferry, belonging to the Italian firm Atlantica di Navigazione though operated by Trasmediterranea-Acciona, despatched out misery indicators, Spain’s Ministry of Public Works mentioned in a press release.

“The Sorrento carried 156 people on board between passengers and crew. All have been rescued,” operator Acciona mentioned in a press release, including it didn’t know the reason for the hearth or the state of the boat.

Spanish newspaper web sites confirmed photos of the ferry belching out clouds of black smoke. The evacuation passed off an hour after the ferry left Palma de Mallorca, Acciona mentioned.

Although the captain didn’t initially need to evacuate the ferry, passengers and crew ultimately left the burning vessel in lifeboats, the ministry mentioned.

Spain’s sea rescue service despatched 4 boats and a helicopter to assist with the evacuation. The National Guard additionally despatched two boats and a helicopter.

Atlantica di Navigazione confirmed the hearth and evacuation of passengers and crew.

The burnt-out ferry might sink within the place the place the rescue was carried out at 35 miles off the Mallorcan coast, the Balearic Island port authority mentioned. (Reporting by Sonya Dowsett Editing by Alison Williams)