The rescue operation began with a helicopter: a ferry headed to the Swedish coast after a fire

A spokeswoman said the fire caused a power outage. The ferry is now slowly drifting towards the island of Gotland in strong winds off the Swedish coast. That is why attempts are now being made to get families with children and the elderly off board with the help of helicopters.

Initially, there were about 70 people. Of the 299 people on board the ferry, 241 were passengers, the shipping authority wrote in a press release. The spokeswoman said the tugboat to transport the ship to the port of Nynashamn, south of Stockholm, was on its way. “I hope he will be there in time. But there is a small risk that the phrase will go awry before then.”

A fire broke out in a refrigerated container on the roof of the passenger ferry car in the afternoon. However, the crew managed to put out the fire. There were no reports of injuries. In the event of evacuation, test boats and helicopters were sent towards the ferry. Another cargo ship and passenger ferry also responded to the emergency call.

The ferry was near the small Swedish island of Gotska Sandun when the fire broke out. She was on her way from Ventspils in Latvia to Nynashamn.