Shocking moment tourist boat with 110 on board goes up in vast inferno sending visitors scrambling into water off Turkey
THIS is the terrifying moment a massive blaze erupted on a tourist boat carrying 110 people as visitors scramble to safety.
Dramatic footage shows the vessel engulfed in flames after it caught fire before sinking off the coast of Marmaris, Turkey.
The 20-meter tourist boat dubbed ‘Eagles’ sank on Thursday afternoon after a raging fire broke out.
The cause is currently unknown, but it’s claimed the blaze began in the vessel’s engine room.
Almost all passengers managed to escape the deadly fire but there are a predicted seven individuals injured who have been taken to hospital.
Three of the injured are reportedly in critical condition, Protothema reports.
The ships owner and captain are allegedly in custody.
Harrowing footage shows people swimming away in panic as some bystanders on long boards scramble to help.
Many tourists are even picked up by other boats to save them.
Ginormous flames can be seen pouring from every angle of the boat as smoke turns the blue sky grey.
The sea is seen littered with life jackets as people from yachts watch on in horror.
The clip shows how the boat became skeletal from being burn almost to dust before sinking.
An investigation into the incident has been launched.
It comes as an urgent travel warning has been issued to Brits holidaying near a wildfire-hit tourist hotspot.
Raging fires have spread across southeastern Turkey over the last week, with Brits warned they “may have to leave”.
Photographs show plumes of smoke rising above a canopy of trees as bright orange flames lick the skyline.
Helicopters were brought out to aid firefighters desperately fighting against the quickly-spreading blaze.
And now the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has issued a stark warning.
A spokesman said: “If there is a wildfire in your area, local authorities may tell you to leave your accommodation. Follow the directions of local authorities. If you see a wildfire, call emergency services on 112.”
Brits could risk a huge fine or prison sentence if they light a fire of any kind or discard cigarettes in risk areas such as woodland, it added.
Turkey has witnessed 74 wildfires this year, destroying around 31,900 acres of land, according to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS).
The unpredictability of wildfires means it’s important for travellers to have insurance that covers natural disasters or emergencies, which could save them from financial loss if their holiday is disrupted or cut short.