A boat carrying 115 passengers, including families and children, caught fire off the coast of Fethiye in southwest Turkey's Mugla province on Thursday, forcing passengers to leap into the sea to escape the flames.
Rescue at Sea
Passing boats rushed to help evacuate people from the water, alongside Coast Guard teams. Emergency services also checked passengers once they were brought to land.
Casualties and Damage
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. The fire caused extensive damage to the boat, with reports indicating it later began to sink.
Investigation Launched
The fire is believed to have broken out in the boat's kitchen at around 11am local time while in Katrancı Bay, but the exact cause is not yet known. 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.
