Over 300 passengers aboard a DFDS Seaways’ ferry are reported stranded in the Baltic Sea after it experienced engine room issues off the coast of Kaliningrad.
The ferry Regina Seaways, with 335 people on board, was sailing from Germany’s Kiel port to Klaipeda, Lithuania when reportedly suffered a fire in the engine room.
At the time, the ship was some 135 km away from Kaliningrad, according to local media . There were no reports of water pollution nor injuries to the passengers or crewmembers.
The fire was soon extinguished and the passengers were reportedly moved to a safe part aboard the ship. The vessel is allegedly drifting in the area while it waits for assistance.
The Russian Baltic fleet and a number of Lithuanian vessels, as well as helicopters from both countries, have been deployed to help the ferry. Media reports suggest that it could take the rescuers several hours to reach the troubled vessel.
World Maritime News contacted the vessel operator for confirmation and more details on the incident.
World Maritime News Staff