Seven-hour delay after fire breaks out on Almeria to Melilla ferry

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ENGINE FIRE: The Alcantara Dos ferry arrived late to Almeria. Photo credit: Transmediterranea

A FERRY which was due to embark from Almeria City’s port for Melilla arrived at its destination about seven hours late after a blaze began on its previous voyage.

The Alcantara Dos ship, which can carry up to 575 passengers, left Melilla on Saturday. A fire broke out in one of its engines around 40 minutes into the voyage, according to the operator Transmediterranea.

The company said the blaze was extinguished with the vessel’s automated fire systems and it did not affect its ability to sail or the safety of those on board.

Alcantara Dos could only run with three of its four engines following the fire. This meant it arrived in back in Melilla seven hours late at 4am and later at Almeria at 9am, Transmediterranea added. It should have left Almeria for Melilla at 9pm on Saturday.

Alcantara Dos’s 9am voyage from Melilla to Almeria yesterday (Sunday) was suspended following the fire. Passengers set to travel on the ship were transferred to the Fortuny which sailed for Malaga at 3pm.

Transmediterranea said the ship sailed from Melilla to Almeria as normal at 9pm last night.