BERLIN (AFP) – A fire broke out aboard a small oil tanker off Germany yesterday, and seven crew were rescued from the burning vessel in the Baltic Sea, emergency services said.
Eyewitnesses reported a loud explosion around 9.15am, said local newspaper Ostseezeitung, and dark smoke was seen billowing from the ship, which the report said is used to resupply vessels at sea with fuel.
“A fire broke out on the Annika tanker yesterday morning,” the Central Command for Maritime Emergencies said, adding that the ship was carrying about 640 tonnes of oil.
“All seven crew members on board were picked up and brought to shore.”
Emergency service vessels were fighting the fire and more rescue crew headed to the area on helicopters.
The German-flagged ship is 73 metres (m) long and 12m wide. It was anchored and now also attached to a tugboat, according to the central command.
The statement added that the ship was in the Mecklenburger Bay in waters between the towns of Kuehlungsborn and Warnemuende. Video published by Bild daily online later showed a fire-fighting vessel aiming a powerful jet of water at the ship and no more flames or smoke visible.
Asked about the risk of a capsize or oil spill by AFP, a central command spokesman said “the investigation is ongoing”.
