MSC Lirica, an MSC Cruises ship, caught fire on Friday in Corfu, Greece, Luca Biondolillo, spokesperson for the cruise line, confirmed to USA TODAY.
“A fire on board MSC Lirica, which seems to be originated in an empty lifeboat on deck 6, was reported to the emergency services earlier today in Corfu where the ship is currently in warm layup,” MSC said in a statement provided by Biondolillo.
There were no injuries among the 51 crew members who were on board to maintain the ship. There were no passengers on board.
Local emergency services are on scene and assisting with a rescue operation, Biondolillo said.
Cruiser MSC Lirica is pictured on fire, while docked in the port of the Greek island of Corfu on March 12, 2021. The fire is under control and no injuries were reported. (Photo: Eurokinissi/AFP via Getty Images)
According to Marine Traffic, a ship tracking service, the ship was positioned at the port of Corfu and had been there since March 1.
Facebook user Μαρια Σκουρτη streamed a live video of the ship as it was going up in flames.
In the near hour-long stream, huge black plumes of smoke can be seen billowing from the middle of the ship’s starboard, or right, side. Later, a close-up short reveals orange flames and rescue teams arriving on the scene.
MSC Lirica can carry up to 2,548 passengers and 752 crew members when in full operation, according to the cruise line. The ship is 902 feet long and weighs 65,591 tons.
This story was first reported by Cruise Industry News.
This story is developing and will be updated.
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