Fire Forces Passenger Ship to Change Course to Majorca

Ministry of Finance and Public Administrations of Balearic islands The 1995-built passenger vessel Tariq Ibn Ziyad suffered a fire in its cargo hold on November 12, which forced the vessel to divert its heading to Majorca, according to the Ministry of Finance and Public Administrations of Balearic islands. The fire started in the early morning hours while the 5,125 dwt ship was sailing from the French port of Marseille to Algeria and forced the ship to stop at the Port dAlcudia in North East Majorca. The ferry was transporting some 470 passengers, as well as over 130 crewmembers, 29 of whom were treated for smoke inhalation at the port and three were moved to a hospital with non life-threatening injuries. An unknown number of cars was also being transpored aboard the ship, some of which were reportedly damaged. AIS data provided by Marine Traffic shows that the vessel is currently moored at the North East Majorcas port. The ferry Tassili II has been designated to carry the passengers and the cars from the affected vessel to their destination port of Algiers. Relevant authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the incident. World Maritime News Staff