A fire broke out on a cruise ship heading to Singapore, resulting in the death of one crew member, while over 600 passengers and crew experienced a tense ordeal late at night.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) announced on Friday (20 Feb) that the fire occurred around 04:00 on the Liberian-flagged cruise ship World Legacy. The fire was later brought under control, but one crew member died.
The ship carried 224 passengers, including 185 Singaporeans, and 388 crew members, none of whom were Singaporean. Reports indicated no additional injuries to passengers or staff.
After the incident, the ship anchored at Raffles Reserved Anchorage near Pulau Semakau and Pulau Senang islands, a designated anchorage area within Singapore's port.
Officials from the MPA, Coast Guard Police, and Singapore Civil Defence Force promptly inspected and closely managed the situation.
World Cruises, the operator of the World Legacy, stated they are aware of the incident and are fully cooperating with authorities, emphasizing that passenger and crew safety is their highest priority and that they will provide updates as the situation develops.
According to the company's website, the World Legacy offers a "Flexible Cruise" service, allowing passengers to choose their preferred boarding times and to embark either from Singapore or Malaysia.
This is not the first time the ship has faced criticism; previously, the World Legacy canceled its maiden voyage just two days before departure on 21 December last year amid passenger complaints about brown tap water, malfunctioning elevators, and inadequate air conditioning.
The recent fire has raised further concerns about the cruise ship's safety standards, especially as the maritime tourism industry recovers. The cause of the fire and details surrounding the crew member's death remain under investigation, with Singapore authorities pledging to monitor the situation closely.
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