One crew member and two contractors were killed after an engine room fire onboard Oceania Cruises' Insignia, the line has confirmed to Cruise Critic.
"Three crew members and two contractors who were working onboard were transferred to a local medical facility. We are deeply saddened to learn that two contractors and one crew member did not survive. We extend our deepest condolences to their families during this very difficult time," the company was quoted as saying.
Also according to Oceania, the fire was contained to the engine room and all passengers are safe and have disembarked.
"Arrangements are being made for guests and crew to be accommodated at local hotels until transportation to Miami is arranged," the line said. A Guest and Crew Support team, along with a technical team, is en route from Miami to St. Lucia.
Insignia was on a 10-night cruise, which departed San Juan on December 7 and was scheduled to arrive in Miami on December 17, the report said.
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A fire that broke out in the engine room of Oceania Cruises' 30,000 gross ton Insignia at about 0930am local time, when the ship was docked at Castries in St Lucia, has been brought under control, a report on Cruise Critic said.
"According to St. Lucia News Online, fire officials in Port Castries received a call at 9:25 a.m. that a fire had broken out in the ship's engine room. The St. Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority and the St. Lucia Fire Service told the news site the situation is under control, and confirmed that three people have been hospitalized, one for smoke inhalation and mild respiratory distress. Fire officials said the incident was contained within Berth 5 at Port Castries," the report said.
A member of Cruise Critic said that all passengers had been called to muster stations and disembarked from the vessel.
Oceania Cruises is part of Prestige Cruise Holdings, which was acquired earlier this year by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. Insignia was built in France in 1998 as R One for the now defunct Renaissance Cruises. Oceania acquired the ship in 2004.
