Spanish emergency services have safely evacuated some 150 passengers onboard a burning ferry.
The ‘Sorrento’ ferry was crossing the Mediterranean from the island of Mallorca heading for the port of Valencia.
It has been reported that the captain initially did not want to evacuate the passengers, but did send out distress signals at 1.50pm Spanish time.
Eventually both passengers and crew boarded lifeboats, according to the Ministry of Public Works. Three crew members who could not reach the evacuation zone were rescued by helicopter and taken to hospital. They were reportedly suffering from smoke inhalation.
The rescue took place 35 miles off the coast of Mallorca.
The port authority said 170 passengers were rescued. Sea rescue services could not confirm the number.
Spanish newspaper websites showed pictures of the ferry with great clouds of black smoke billowing out. It is likely that the burnt-out ferry could sink where it is.
The ‘Sorrento’ belongs to an Italian company but was operated by Trasmediterranea-Acciona.
