Ferry carrying 183 people catches fire in the English Channel as lifeboats scramble to help
Ferry with 183 people on board was halfway across the English Channel when fire broke out in the engine room as lifeboats rushed to help those on board
- Emergency services sent three lifeboats to the Irish Ferries ship this evening
- The fire is believed to have broken out in the ship’s engine room
A ferry with 183 people on board was halfway across the English Channel when a fire broke out in the engine room.
HM Coastguard dispatched three lifeboats to Irish Ferries’ Isle of Innisfree vessel on the 34km journey from Dover to Calais at around 5.30pm.
The ferry was reportedly carrying 183 people when the fire broke out – about 94 passengers and 89 crew members.
The fire is believed to have broken out in the ship’s engine room, but is now under control and no injuries were reported.
A spokesman for HM Coastguard said: ‘The vessel has confirmed that the fire has been extinguished but is experiencing technical difficulties. All passengers and crew are present and no injuries were reported.
One of three lifeboats sent to the Irish Ferries ship in the middle of the Channel this evening
The ferry was reportedly carrying 183 people when the fire broke out – about 94 passengers and 89 crew members
‘RNLI lifeboats from Dungeness, Dover and Ramsgate have been sent along with a French tug. The incident is ongoing.’
A spokesman for Irish Ferries added: ‘Tonight the crew on board the vessel the Isle of Innisfree were alerted to a small fire in the vessel’s engine room while the vessel was sailing from Dover to Calais.
“The ship is carrying 94 passengers and 89 crew members and they are all safe and responsible.
‘The Coastguard has been informed and has sent three RNLI lifeboats as a precaution.
“The ship is currently safely anchored and as the situation is stable, no emergency assistance is expected to be required.”
HM Coastguard dispatched three lifeboats to Irish Ferries’ Isle of Innisfree ship on the 21 mile journey from Dover to Calais at about 5.30pm
A statement added: ‘Irish Ferries crews regularly train to deal with incidents at sea, and the company has put its training into practice and the fire has been extinguished.
Passengers booked on upcoming sailings to the Isle of Innisfree will be transferred to alternative sailings.
“Irish Ferries would like to offer its sincere apologies to all its passengers for the disruption to their journeys.”
The RNLI added: ‘I can confirm that RNLI lifeboats from Ramsgate, Dover and Dungeness have been set on fire on board a ferry halfway between Dover and Calais.’