Crew Evacuated from Burning Ship off Chioggia, Italy

Eighteen crewmembers of a Belize-flagged general cargo vessel have been evacuated after their ship caught fire off Italy, local authorities informed.

The 8,900 dwt Hala B was anchored near the Port of Chioggia when the fire started in the engine room in the evening hours of February 26, 2016, Guardia Costiera said.

In serata la #GuardiaCostiera di #Chioggia ha tratto in salvo 18 persone di equipaggio che si trovavano a bordo del mercantile HALA B. Il mercantile si trovava alla fonda in rada a Chioggia quando si è verificato un principio di incendio in sala macchine. #SAR pic.twitter.com/lClpyRXeRp

— Guardia Costiera (@guardiacostiera) February 26, 2019

Firefighters were immediately sent to the scene to extinguish the fire with the help of tugs and hydrants, according to Vigili del Fuoco, the country’s agency for fire and rescue service.

At the time of the incident, the 1985-built ship was loaded with a cargo of timber.

No injuries have been reported.

An investigation into the exact cause of the incident has been launched.

The 5,586 gross ton Hala B, previously known as South Star, is owned by GMZ Ship Management, data provided by VesselsValue shows.

World Maritime News Staff