A cruise ship caught fire with 220 passengers on board. Initial indications suggest the fire was caused by an electrical short from the ship’s galley. The cruise ship is reportedly completely destroyed.
A cruise ship named “Iberotel Crown Empress” caught fire in the Nile River at approximately 6:15 p.m. local time on October 28. The ship had departed from Luxor on October 27 for a 12-day Nile River cruise.
Some passengers said they were alerted by passing ships on the Nile and looked out of their windows to find the cruise ship emitting large amounts of thick smoke. The captain then turned the burning ship towards the unofficial port of Eisna on the Nile, but the fire spread to the first deck, complicating the evacuation efforts.
Reports indicate that some passengers on the cruise ship were rescued by passing vessels, while the rest were transferred to nearby rescue vessels.
Following the incident, all 220 passengers on board were safely evacuated, but three crew members were transported to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
The Luxor Prosecutor’s Office in Egypt has launched an investigation, with preliminary indications suggesting the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit in the ship’s galley. Separate reports indicate the Iberotel Crown Empress was completely destroyed in the blaze.
It is understood that the Iberotel Crown Empress, built in 2004, is a luxury cruise ship designed specifically for the Nile River. It features 128 guest rooms with panoramic windows and amenities including a swimming pool, spa, fitness center and sun deck.