236 passengers rescued from the burned-out DFDS ferry

DFDS Lisco’s ropax ferry Lisco Gloria is declared constructive total loss after a devastating fire, which broke out in the early hours of Saturday October 9 while the ship was on its regular voyage from Kiel to Klaipeda. The Lithuanian crew and the 236 passengers had to be evacuated. Of the 236 passengers, 23 were treated for injuries. One is still in the hospital, but is expected to be able to leave the hospital within few days.
The burning ferry drifted to a position three nautical miles off the isle of Langeland where the vessel was anchored. The rescue teams had to give up the attempts to extinguish the fire by water due to the danger of capsizing the vessel. On Sunday evening the fire died out. It is expected that salvage experts from Smit International will be able to enter the ship on October 11 in order to carry out an inspection of the ship. The tugs Asterix and Bugsier 26 have been “cooling the hull” to facilitate the boarding.
The cause of the fire is not yet found, but German authorities believe the fire started after an explosion on a trailer on the car deck. The fire spread quickly to the rest of the vessel. All accommodation it totally burnet-out as well as the car decks.
The Lisco Gloria, built in 2001, is registered in Lithuania and operated by DFDS Seaways owned DFDS Lisco. The vessel is classed by ABS.