Fire Races Through Cruise Ship; All Rescued

A fire raged through a cruise ship early Saturday as it sailed off Cyprus, sending more than 650 passengers and crew fleeing in lifeboats and helicopters.

The Romantica, a 10,500-ton Cypriot vessel, was carrying European tourists on a Mediterranean cruise to Port Said, Egypt.

“The boat burned like hell. We were lucky to get out alive, but I’ve lost everything,” said the ship’s photographer, a Briton who gave only the name Chris.

The Cypriot ship Princessa Victoria reached the area, 65 miles off Cyprus, half an hour after picking up a distress signal and found passengers--many still in pajamas--already in lifeboats.

Helicopters from a British base in Cyprus rescued the last passengers and the captain from the deck of the blazing vessel. All the evacuees--482 passengers and 182 crew members--were taken aboard the Victoria to Limassol.

Helicopter commander Jonathan Dixon said that as his two craft approached the ship, they saw the passengers clambering into the lifeboats.

“Many were already at sea heading for the Victoria. Smoke was coming from the Romantica’s bridge and the surrounding area,” he said.

The ship, owned by the Cypriot company Paradise Tours, had been on a three-day cruise to Egypt and Israel. The passengers were from Europe, including 223 Russians and 120 Britons.

Initial reports said the fire had started in the engine room, but the cause was still unknown.

Cyprus television showed that it was still blazing Saturday afternoon with thick smoke billowing from its middle section. “We are trying to put the fire out and to tow it close to port to prevent it from sinking,” a police spokesman said.

The Cyprus Broadcasting Corp. reported that a chain of blasts were heard from the vessel, believed to be gas cylinders exploding.