Cargo Ship Fire North of Mykonos; 29 Evacuated Safely

A fire broke out at 08:57 local time on Friday 25 September aboard the Greek-flagged Ro-Ro cargo ship BLUE CARRIER 2 while it was underway north of Mykonos and east of Andros. All 29 people on board—28 crew members and one lorry driver—were evacuated safely and reported in good health, with no injuries. Hellenic Coast Guard units took them off the vessel and transported them to Tinos. The vessel was on scheduled service after leaving Piraeus Thursday evening and calling at Syros early Friday. The crew activated the ship's safety procedures, tried to extinguish the fire with onboard equipment, notified authorities, then carried out an organised evacuation using the ship's own means. Greek media reported the fire began in the number 4 garage, with a lorry under investigation as a possible source. The ship was carrying 166 lorries and 29 cars. Four Coast Guard patrol boats, one patrol vessel, two fast fire boats from Syros and Lavrio, a firefighting vessel, two tugboats, private and passing vessels responded; salvage tug AIGAION PELAGOS was sent from Piraeus. One account placed the Coast Guard pickup shortly after 11:00; another shortly after 11:20. The cause remained under investigation.