A fire destroyed a children's entertainment tour boat off the coast of Fethiye, south-western Turkey, on Aug. 13, forcing more than 100 people to abandon the vessel, Turkish officials said. Eleven people were taken to hospital with smoke inhalation, none of them reported to be in serious condition.
Fire destroys Turkish children's tour boat near Fethiye, 11 hospitalized
A fire destroyed a children's entertainment tour boat off the coast of Fethiye, south-western Turkey, on Aug. 13, forcing more than 100 people to abandon the vessel, Turkish officials said. Eleven people were taken to hospital with smoke inhalation, none of them reported to be in serious condition.
Turkish coast guard personnel carried out most of the evacuation, bringing passengers and crew ashore from the vessel named the Toys Boat, according to officials. The Turkish maritime affairs directorate stated on X that all 115 passengers and crew had been 'evacuated to shore.' The coast guard separately told AFP it had evacuated 107 people; the source does not reconcile the two figures.
The Toys Boat markets itself as offering children an 'unforgettable adventure,' with meals, children's games, and entertainment on board. The outing was taking place near Fethiye, a coastal resort the source describes as particularly popular with British tourists.
Images released by Turkish media showed the vessel had been completely gutted by the fire, according to the source.
- The source does not reconcile the differing evacuation figures of 115 given by the maritime affairs directorate and 107 given by the coast guard.
- The source does not state how many of those aboard or hospitalized were children.
- The source does not state the cause of the fire.
- The source does not state the nationalities of those on board.
- The source does not state whether any investigation into the fire has been opened.
Read the original at The Straits Times