Singapore ferry evacuated due to engine fire

A high-speed ferry travelling between Singapore and Batan caught fire, forcing the evacuation of passengers onto another vessel. The Queen Star 2, which has capacity for 266 passengers, was en route to Batan when the crew reported an engine room fire. All 62 passengers on board were subsequently transferred onto another vessel, the Merbau Era, which took them to Harbourfront Ferry Terminal in Singapore. Singapore authorities said no pollution had occurred and there were no casualties. The vessel will be towed back to port for investigation.

The fire was a setback for Sindo Ferry, which acquired the Queen Star 2 in 2016, as it sought to modernise its fleet. The ferry is one of the six vehicles the company acquired. There are no reports on whether the vessel suffered serious damage. Sindo Ferry currently operates 16 passenger ferries from Singapore. The calm weather in the area facilitated the evacuation and the Singapore Maritime and Port Authority sent a tugboat to provide assistance along with response teams from the Singapore Defense Force and the Coast Guard.

Tags: Singapore,ferry,fire,evacuation,Sindo,Queen Star 2,Merbau


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