Rescue operation after fire: ferry on the way to the port

The Stena Scandica ferry, damaged by fire, is on its way to its destination port. There she is expected to be expected in the morning with more than 270 people on board.

After a fire and an evacuation operation, the ferry Stena Scandica is expected in the port of Nynäshamn south of the Swedish capital Stockholm in the morning. When the ship will dock, but also depends on the weather, said a spokeswoman for the shipping authority.

The ferry is heading towards the port at limited speed. The danger of stranding is averted, it said. On board the ferry were more than 270 of the original 299 people, including 241 passengers.

Power failure caused by fire

A fire broke out in a refrigerated container on the ferry’s car deck on Monday, but it was quickly extinguished. However, the fire had caused a power failure, after which the ferry had drifted south towards the island of Gotland in strong winds in the evening.

First, individual passengers evacuated

A tug that was supposed to bring the ship to Nynäshamn harbor was still underway at the time. Fearing that the ship might run aground before its arrival, rescue workers began evacuating the ferry.

Families with children and the elderly were evacuated with the help of helicopters. The evacuation was then called off due to nightfall. According to the TT news agency, 25 people were taken to another ferry.

Drive under your own power

Just offshore, the crew of the Stena Scandica managed to get two engines running, allowing the ferry to move north from Gotland under its own power. Accompanied by the tugboat and the coastguard, she then set course for Nynäshamn. The mood on board is calm, there are no injuries, it said.

The ferry was near the small Swedish island of Gotska Sandön when the fire broke out. She was on her way from Ventspils in Latvia to Nynäshamn.