A video released Friday by the Panhellenic Seamen’s Union (PENEN) shows crew members battling a fire that broke out aboard the Blue Carrier 2 north of Mykonos earlier in the day, as firefighting teams continued efforts to bring the blaze under control. All 29 people aboard the cargo ferry were safely evacuated.
The footage shows crew members attempting to extinguish the fire on deck, while additional video captures the flames spreading across parts of the vessel. The fire broke out in one of the ship’s garage areas while it was sailing north of Mykonos.
The 29 people — 28 crew members and a truck driver — were evacuated using the ship’s lifeboats and subsequently picked up by nearby vessels for transfer to Tinos. All were reported to be in good health.
The vessel was carrying 166 trucks and 29 passenger cars. The Blue Carrier 2, a Greek-flagged Ro-Ro cargo ship built in 1997, is approximately 162.5 meters long.
Video released by the Panhellenic Seamen’s Union (PNO/PENEN) shows crew members attempting to contain the fire on deck, while additional footage captures flames spreading across part of the vessel.
Firefighting forces were reinforced as the operation continued. Two high-speed RAFNAR firefighting boats from the nearby island of Syros and Lavrio, on the mainland, were already operating in the area, while two firefighting vessels were dispatched from Piraeus. A fire brigade helicopter was also deployed to monitor the blaze.
The coast guard was also participating in the operation, along with patrol vessels, tugboats, private craft and nearby ships.
The 70-meter salvage tug Aigaion Pelagos, equipped for firefighting and salvage operations, was also expected to reach the area from Piraeus.
With all those aboard safely removed, the focus has shifted to controlling the fire, managing the vessel and preventing any environmental impact.
Attica Group said it had assigned specialized companies to undertake the necessary environmental-protection measures and manage the vessel in coordination with the competent authorities.
The cause of the fire had not been established. Initial information indicated that the blaze originated in a garage area, with authorities examining whether it may have started in a truck.
