Greek Minister Says Fire on Ferry Near Mykonos Under Control

Greece's Minister of Shipping and Insular Policy, Vassilis Kikilias, has said that a fire aboard a Blue Star ferry that burned for more than two days off the island of Mykonos is under control. The minister said there was no risk of pollution and that the vessel was being held by two tugboats. All 29 people aboard the roll-on, roll-off vessel Blue Carrier 2 were confirmed safe following an evacuation, with multiple vessels and the Hellenic Coast Guard responding to the incident.

 

The Current Status

 

The Greek minister has provided an update. He said the fire is under control. It had burned for more than two days. This was off the island of Mykonos. The vessel is the Blue Carrier 2.

The minister addressed the risks. He said there was no pollution risk. This was based on available data. The ship was held by two tugboats. This stabilised the situation.

 

The Salvage Response

 

The response involved specialist support. The vessel's owners assigned technical management. This went to a Greek company. A team of Dutch experts was also brought in. They assisted with the salvage.

The next steps were outlined. The ship will receive inspections. It will then be towed to safety. Water, fuel and lubricants may be pumped out. This would occur at a shipyard.

 

The Initial Incident

 

The fire prompted a major response. It broke out on the vessel's deck. The vessel is a roll-on, roll-off ferry. It was on a scheduled route. This ran from Piraeus to various islands.

The response was substantial. The coast guard deployed a major operation. Passenger vessels also responded. Patrol boats were scrambled too. They aided the evacuation.

 

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The Evacuation

 

The evacuation was successful. All 29 people aboard were confirmed safe. The vessel had 28 crew. One passenger was also aboard. This was a truck driver.

The vessel carried significant cargo. It was transporting 166 trucks. It also carried 29 private vehicles. The evacuation used onboard means. It was described as organised.

 

The Multi-Day Operation

 

The operation spanned several days. Initially, the fire remained challenging. A seamen's union said it was out of control early on. The vessel was moved toward Tinos. Firefighting operations continued.

The situation gradually improved. By 27 September, the fire had subsided. Firefighters continued dousing the vessel. It developed a list from trapped water. Tugs stabilised it while teams pumped water out.

 

The Next Steps

 

The operation continues toward resolution. The ship will undergo technical inspections. It will then be towed to safety. Fluids may be pumped at a shipyard. A full investigation will follow.

Investigations are already under way. A port authority is conducting a preliminary inquiry. All crew members have testified. The cause remains undetermined. This will be examined further.