The ferry Marco Polo ran aground off the coast of Karlshamn in southeastern Sweden. The services evacuate 71 passengers. The Coast Guard reported that the ship was leaking fuel.
The Swedish Coast Guard reported that on Sunday at 7 a.m. flying the flag Cyprus The passenger ferry Marco Polo ran aground south of Karlshamn. The evacuation of 71 passengers on board is ongoing.
– Passengers are taken to our ship in groups and then transported to Karlshamn – said Fredrik Stroembaeck from the Maritime and Air Rescue Center of the Swedish Maritime Administration.
Location of the Marco Polo ferry at 1 p.mvesselfinder.com
The fire brigade confirmed that the ferry was leaking fuel. According to a statement from the Soelversborg commune located near Karlshamn, a strong smell of oil can be felt on the coast. Residents were asked to refrain from swimming in the sea. Once the evacuation is completed, the ecological rescue services will join the operation.
According to Stroembaeck, the causes of the incident are unknown at this time; there was no strong wind on Sunday morning.
Fuel spill into the sea from the Marco Polo ferrykustbevakningen.se
The Marco Polo ferry, which belongs to the German shipowner TT-Line, was sailing from the Swedish port of Trelleborg to Karlshamn, and then was to head to Klaipėda for Lithuania.
Maco Polo Ferry in KlaipedaPhoto from August 20, 2022Karolis Kavolelis / Shutterstock
Main photo source: kustbevakningen.se