200 Passengers Rescued from Burning Car Ferry

VOA Breaking News
October 9, 2010 at 2:40 pm

German maritime officials say they have safely rescued the more than 230 passengers and crew from a car ferry that caught fire in the Baltic Sea.

Officials say at least 21 people were injured in the explosion that erupted on the Lisco Gloria Saturday morning. Other ships were nearby at the time of the explosion and came to the rescue of the passengers and crew.

Authorities say firefighters are still trying to put out the fire, and are taking measures to avoid a potential oil spill.

The ferry was traveling from the German port of Kiel to Klaipeda in Lithuania. Officials are investigating the cause of the explosion, but they say it most likely was an accident.

Some information in this story was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.