Hundreds of people have been evacuated from a burning Caribbean ferry, Coast Guard officials have confirmed.
There are 512 passengers and crew members on board the ship, according to the Coast Guard, which added that there have been reports of people in the water.
The Caribbean Fantasy is a large ferry that makes trips between Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico, its website states.
There was no immediate report of injuries.
The ship caught fire just outside Puerto Rico’s San Juan bay.
AHORA: Helicóptero de FURA sobrevuela crucero de America Cruise Ferries donde hay aprox. 512 personas. pic.twitter.com/nMpgzJOZK6
— Policía Puerto Rico (@PRPDNoticias) August 17, 2016
#FerryRescue happening now near #SanJuan @USCG helping hundreds on #CaribbeanFantasy Fire in engine room pic.twitter.com/M88DhAPgQM
— Alcides Segui FOX (@seguifox13) August 17, 2016
SE INCENDIA EL FERRY CARIBBEAN FANTASY EN LA COSTA DEL VIEJO SAN JUAN, POLICÍA INVESTIGA https://t.co/I5a5qPR8qm pic.twitter.com/mdxcqANP9V
— Ramón González (@prgonzalez23) August 17, 2016
According to photos posted on Twitter, smaller rescue boats were seen circling the ship. Smoke could also be seen pouring from the ship.
The Coast Guard tweeted: “Responding to fire on passenger/car ferry vessel approx 1 mile off San Juan, PR. Reported 512 passengers/crew aboard.”
AHORA: Agentes de FURA atienden emergencia en crucero American CruIse Ferries en costas de SJ pic.twitter.com/ctVLncGL95
— Policía Puerto Rico (@PRPDNoticias) August 17, 2016
The agency later added: “USCG & local rescue crews are on scene assisting passengers/crew preparing to abandon ship.”
It then continued: “USCG Station San Juan boat crews on scene for Ferryrescue 1 mile off SanJuan Harbor. Passengers/crew being disembarked.”