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.