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Azamara cruise ship sails for Malaysia after fire repairs | Azamara cruise ship sails for Malaysia after fire repairs |
(40 minutes later) | |
A cruise ship disabled by a fire has been repaired and is sailing slowly from Philippines waters to Malaysia, the ship's operator says. | |
Fire broke out on the Azamara Quest on Friday, a day after it left Manila for Malaysia, with 1,001 people on board. | |
Operator Azamara Club Cruises said five crew suffered smoke inhalation but that no passengers were injured. | |
The ship was now travelling at a speed of three to six knots and should reach Sandakan, Malaysia,in two days. | |
"The crew members are being treated in our medical facility. The condition of the one crew member that was more severely injured has improved, but is still serious." | |
The ship is owned by the world's second largest cruise firm, Royal Caribbean. | The ship is owned by the world's second largest cruise firm, Royal Caribbean. |
Azamara Club Cruises said the blaze - in one of the ship's engine rooms - had been immediately extinguished. | Azamara Club Cruises said the blaze - in one of the ship's engine rooms - had been immediately extinguished. |
"The damage caused by the fire will require us to cancel the rest of Azamara Quest's voyage once the ship arrives in Sandakan," it said. | |
A coastguard spokesman, Lt Cdr Algier Ricafrente, said a coastguard vessel was approaching the Azamara Quest. He said the ship's captain had earlier emailed to say everything was "under control" and that it did not require assistance. | |
But Cdr Ricafrente said the coastguard would provide assistance while the ship was "inside our area of responsibility". Another spokesman said a Philippine Navy ship would escort the ship until it crossed into Malaysian waters. | |
Cdr Ricafrente earlier said the cruise ship was carrying 590 passengers and 411 crew. | |
He said the coastguard had been alerted to the fire by a Manila-based ferry and towage company and that it would be investigating why the Azamara Quest's crew had not issued a distress call. | |
The ship had been 139km (75 nautical miles) south-west of the Philippines' Tubbataha Reef when the coastguard heard of the incident. | |
Compensation offer | Compensation offer |
Up to 60 Britons are reported to be on board the Azamara Quest. | |
One passenger, Deborah Garnett from Yorkshire, said dinner was about to be served when the fire broke out. | One passenger, Deborah Garnett from Yorkshire, said dinner was about to be served when the fire broke out. |
"One of the engineers ran up covered in oil, running through the dining room and smoke filled the dining room and everybody was evacuated and given life jackets," she said. | "One of the engineers ran up covered in oil, running through the dining room and smoke filled the dining room and everybody was evacuated and given life jackets," she said. |
"The captain was dining and he ran after the engineer and went onto the bridge. Obviously, it was a bit of a panic and people were worried because they thought they were going to have to lower the lifeboats." | "The captain was dining and he ran after the engineer and went onto the bridge. Obviously, it was a bit of a panic and people were worried because they thought they were going to have to lower the lifeboats." |
Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said it was sending a team to the region to meet the ship and see what consular assistance it could provide. | Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said it was sending a team to the region to meet the ship and see what consular assistance it could provide. |
It said anyone with concerns about those on board could find further information on the Azamara Quest Facebook page, website, or by calling the cruise operator's hot line on 001-408-916-9001. | It said anyone with concerns about those on board could find further information on the Azamara Quest Facebook page, website, or by calling the cruise operator's hot line on 001-408-916-9001. |
Earlier this year, 32 people died when a cruise ship owned by another firm - Carnival - ran aground off the coast of Italy. A month later another Carnival ship lost power for three days in the Indian Ocean. | Earlier this year, 32 people died when a cruise ship owned by another firm - Carnival - ran aground off the coast of Italy. A month later another Carnival ship lost power for three days in the Indian Ocean. |
Are you, or do you know anyone, on board the Azamara Quest? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. | Are you, or do you know anyone, on board the Azamara Quest? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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