A tourist craft caught fire in Fuengirola Marina on Saturday as it was leaving the port from Berths 2-3.

The launch, which was between six and seven metres long, suffered an explosion, according to some eyewitnesses. The tourists onboard were able to be rescued thanks to the crew and several jet skis that raced to the burning craft to offer assistance.

Although all the passengers were able to get off the sinking craft in flames, eight of them suffered injuries to varying degrees of gravity. Five were slightly injured whilst the remaining three had more serious injuries.

The Emergency Coordination Centre, 112, received a call to say that there had been an explosion in the marina with people injured. The centre despatched ambulances, the Policía Local and the Fuengirola, Fire Service, as well as the Guardia Civi, Cruz Roja and Salvamento Marítimo.

First at the scene were the Guardia Civil, who began by giving First Aid to the victims whilst waiting for the ambulances, which took five people to be treated in medical facilities.

“It was an open launch, with out a wheelhouse made from polyester, which is a dangerous material where combustible is concerned as it burns very rapidly,” explained one witness.

The explosion occurred just moments after leaving the berth, making its way to the marina entrance.

Three of the casualties were taken to Hospital Costa del Sol (two women aged 35 and a third woman of 36). Another three of the injured were treated at the Hospital Regional (a 40-year-old man and two women aged 37 and 38).

Two other women were treated at the scene of the accident, aged 31 and 27, as they did not require further medical assistance.

(News: Fuengirola, Costa Tropical, Malaga, Andalucia)

Keywords: Launch, Explosion, Tourists, Injured, Fuengirola Marina, Fire Service, Hospital Costa del Sol

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