Ten dead in ship fire

Ten dead in ship fire

HANOI (AFP): At least ten people were killed and 15 are still missing after a passenger ship caught fire off the southwestern province of Kien Giang, a news report said yesterday.

Another 20 people suffered burn injuries after the Ngoc Thanh 2, carrying 150 passengers, exploded on Aug. 31 while on its way from Nam Du island to Rach Gia town, the Lao Dong newspaper said.

At least ten passengers, including a pregnant woman and two children, died in the fire, the paper said.

According to survivors, the fire was triggered by an explosion of the gas cylinder in the kitchen which set off the petrol reserves. Huge flames quickly spread to the whole ship.