Emergency at Sea: Fire Breaks Out Aboard Azamara Quest Near the Philippines
The luxury cruise ship Azamara Quest experienced a significant emergency at sea when a fire erupted in its engine room while navigating the Sulu Sea, between the Philippines and Borneo. The vessel was en route from Manila to Sandakan, Malaysia, as part of a 17-night voyage from Hong Kong to Singapore. (Cruise Law News, ABC)
The fire broke out around 8:19 PM local time and was promptly contained to the engine room. While no passengers were injured, five crew members suffered from smoke inhalation, with one in serious condition requiring urgent medical attention. (Cruise Law News)
Following the incident, the ship lost propulsion and was adrift for nearly 24 hours. Emergency generators maintained essential services onboard. The Philippine Coast Guard and Armed Forces provided assistance, and the vessel eventually made its way to Sandakan under limited power. (CruiseMapper)
Passengers commended the crew’s professionalism and composure during the crisis. Azamara Cruises arranged charter flights to transport guests from Sandakan to Singapore and offered full refunds along with future cruise credits as compensation. (ABC)
This incident underscores the importance of stringent safety protocols and swift emergency response measures in ensuring passenger and crew safety at sea.
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