DRAGON STAR1

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52 passengers rescued from blazing ferry

52 passengers of the Kuala Perlis-bound "Dragon Star" were rescued when the engine in the aft of the vessel caught fire minutes after it departed from the Kuah Terminal on Feb 25, 2019, three kilometres off Kuah. All passengers escaped unscathed and were taken to the Kuah Ferry Terminal by fishing boats and ferries. One passenger first spotted the blaze and raised the alarm. As the blaze grew, many passengers plunged into the sea to escape. They were rescued by nearby vessels. The Kedah Fire and Rescue Department operation centre were told of the ferry fire at 2.48 p.m. and a rescue team was despatched to the scene at 2.56 p.m. Also a tug was sent to douse the fire. The operation was headed by Deputy Fire Superintendent Johari Mohd Lazim. It involved personnel from the Persiaran Putra and Langkawi Fire and Rescue stations. The authorities despatched two rescue boats and a Kevlar boat to the scene, aided by assets from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and nearby vessels, to contain the fire. Firemen boarded the ferry to put out the fire and to ensure no passengers were trapped. The wreck was towed from the Kuah Ferry Terminal to the Tanjung Lembong Marine Department jetty by the "Suhail", a ship owned by the Marine Department, and the "Dragon Speed", another ferry of the company. Repprts with photos: https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/465567 https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2019/02/25/passengers-jump-off-blazing-ferry-bound-for-langkawi/ https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2019/02/463596/ferry-fire-originated-engine-compartment https://www.worldofbuzz.com/ferry-in-langkawi-suddenly-catches-fire-passengers-jump-into-sea-to-save-themselves/ https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/02/25/over-50-passengers-rescued-after-langkawi-ferry-goes-up-in-flames/#PcFxkYk4H0pqR74K.99 https://www.thesundaily.my/local/video-passengers-rescued-from-burning-ferry-in-langkawi-FK590676 https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12207194