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North Sea passenger ferry hit by fire | North Sea passenger ferry hit by fire |
(35 minutes later) | |
Six crew members and a passenger have been flown to hospital after a fire broke out on a ferry in the North Sea, off the East Yorkshire coast. | |
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said the seven, who were winched off the MS King Seaways 30 miles north-east of Flamborough Head, were suffering from smoke inhalation. | |
Some 946 passengers and 27 crew had been on board when the fire - since put out - started at about 22:00 GMT. | Some 946 passengers and 27 crew had been on board when the fire - since put out - started at about 22:00 GMT. |
The ferry is now returning to Tyneside. | |
The MCA's Jo Rawlings told BBC News conditions for the rescue had been "fairly calm". | |
The passenger and crew members were airlifted to Scarborough and no-one was seriously injured. | |
Cabin fire | |
Helicopters from RAF Leconfield and RAF Boulmer were sent to the scene. | |
Sqn Ldr Webster said that when the RAF was called for assistance at 22:40 GMT, it was initially thought 23 people would need to be winched to safety but that figure had been downgraded. | Sqn Ldr Webster said that when the RAF was called for assistance at 22:40 GMT, it was initially thought 23 people would need to be winched to safety but that figure had been downgraded. |
RAF crew had lifted those affected off the ferry within an hour. | RAF crew had lifted those affected off the ferry within an hour. |
Two lifeboats sent from Bridlington and Filey to help with the rescue operation have since been stood down, the RNLI tweeted. | Two lifeboats sent from Bridlington and Filey to help with the rescue operation have since been stood down, the RNLI tweeted. |
Humberside Police said it was thought a passenger had set fire to a cabin. | |
It is not clear at this stage if the fire was started deliberately or accidentally. | |
Ferry operator DFDS Seaways runs a daily 17:00 GMT service from North Shields, Tyneside, arriving in Ijmuiden, the Netherlands, at 09:30 local time. | |
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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