A boat carrying 115 passengers caught fire off the coast of Fethiye in southwestern Turkey, forcing families, including children, to leap into the sea as the vessel became engulfed in flames.
The incident occurred on Thursday in Katrancı Bay, in the Muğla province. The fire reportedly broke out in the boat's kitchen at around 11am local time, though the exact cause is not yet known.
Passengers Rescued from Water
Coast Guard teams and other boats assisted in evacuating people from the water. Emergency services checked passengers once they were brought to shore.
According to local reports, 11 passengers were affected by smoke and were rushed to hospital by ambulance. It is understood that none are in a serious condition.
Authorities Respond and Investigate
The fire caused extensive damage to the boat, with reports indicating it later began to sink. Fethiye District Governor Fatih Akkaya visited the area after the incident and confirmed no deaths had been reported, adding that passengers were brought to safety by Coast Guard vessels and other boats nearby.
The General Directorate of Maritime Affairs announced that an investigation has been launched as part of the inquiry into the cause of the incident.
