A fire that ignited on an oil tanker off Germany’s Baltic Sea coast has been successfully extinguished, according to authorities. The incident, which occurred on board the German-flagged Annika, did not spread to the ship’s cargo. The maritime rescue service responded to the fire on Friday morning, evacuating all seven crew members from the vessel as black smoke billowed from the tanker, which was carrying approximately 640 metric tons of oil.
The fire is believed to have originated in either the engine room or a paint storage area, spreading to the stern of the ship. By Friday afternoon, experts assessed that the vessel was in a stable condition, prompting authorities to arrange for it to be towed to the port city of Rostock for further firefighting efforts. Following its arrival in the harbour around 1 a.m., firefighters confirmed that the fire had been fully extinguished, as reported by Germany’s Central Command for Maritime Emergencies.
The 73-metre (240-foot) long oil tanker was thoroughly inspected upon docking, and it was verified that the fire had been completely put out. The quick and effective response from emergency services prevented any escalation of the situation, ensuring the safety of both the crew and the environment. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of swift action and preparedness in managing such emergencies at sea.