Fire Europe Near Ibiza, Balearic Islands · 8 July 2024
Engine Room Fire on Tenacia Ferry Near Ibiza: Incident on 8 July 2024
What happened
In the early morning of 8 July 2024, the ferry Tenacia experienced a fire in its engine room while sailing near Ibiza in the Balearic Islands, Spain. The incident prompted a significant response from Spanish maritime authorities; however, no injuries were reported among the 411 passengers and crew onboard, and the fire was contained without affecting passenger areas.
Salvamento Marítimo, Spain's maritime rescue agency, mobilized a coordinated response including search-and-rescue vessels, tugboats, and a rescue helicopter. The incident caused a delay in the ferry's arrival in Palma de Mallorca but did not necessitate passenger evacuation.
Details of the rescue
The fire broke out at approximately 2:20 a.m. local time when the Tenacia was approximately 35 kilometers from Ibiza and 85 kilometers from Sa Dragonera. Salvamento Marítimo swiftly mobilized a fleet of vessels, including two search-and-rescue ships, two tugboats, and a rescue helicopter. Nine firefighters were airlifted from Catalonia to assist the ferry's crew in containing the blaze. Passengers were mustered at assembly stations and issued life jackets as a precaution. The ferry Abel Matutes, operated by BALEARIA, was diverted from its regular route to provide standby assistance in case passenger evacuation became necessary.
Passengers and crew
Total onboard
- 411 passengers and crew.
Casualties
Fatalities
- None reported.
Injuries
- None reported.
Rescued
- All 411 passengers and crew remained onboard; no evacuation was required.
Emergency response
Salvamento Marítimo coordinated the response, deploying two search-and-rescue ships, two tugboats, and a rescue helicopter. Nine firefighters were airlifted from Catalonia to assist the ferry's crew in containing the engine room fire. The Abel Matutes, a sister ferry operated by BALEARIA, was diverted to standby position to provide assistance if evacuation became necessary. The fire was successfully contained and did not spread to passenger areas.
Current status
The fire was contained without affecting passenger areas. The incident caused a delay in the Tenacia's arrival in Palma de Mallorca. All passengers and crew remained onboard throughout the incident and no evacuation was required.