200 Cruise Ship Guests Evacuated After Explosion; Crew Monitored Over Smoke Inhalation

An explosion occurred inside a cruise ship traveling through the Netherlands earlier this week, forcing 200 of the vessel's passengers to be evacuated.

Firefighters in the Dutch capital of Amsterdam responded with large equipment at around 6:30 p.m. Monday after an explosion was reported in the engine room of the Viking Gymir while the ship was on the Ruijterkade river, according to local newspaper Het Parool.

Following the explosion, a fire also broke out in the river cruise ship, which, at the time, was located near the city's main train station, the Central Station.

All 200 of the Viking Gymir's guests were evacuated from the vessel. They were already assembled in the ship's main lounge for a welcome briefing when the incident occurred, making the evacuation relatively easy, Cruise Hive reported.

No one got seriously injured in the incident, according to a spokesman. However, eight or nine people had inhaled smoke and were later examined.

Some people onboard the vessel at the time of the incident reportedly inhaled too much smoke; some crew members also suffered from smoke inhalation and were monitored by medical personnel.

All of the Viking Gymir's guests and crew are "safe," and the vessel is now "fully operable and navigable," Viking Cruises, the ship's operator, said in a statement.

The company also said that all future departures would proceed as scheduled, but the ship is reportedly unlikely to return to service this summer season.

Local authorities are still investigating the ship to ensure that there are no toxic fumes onboard before the crew is allowed to reenter.

The Viking Gymir, which departed from Portugal, was among the eight new river cruise ships to be christened by Viking Cruises in January.

It has a hybrid propulsion system that consists of three diesel engines and a large-capacity battery pack.

Monday's explosion and fire occurred in the battery, according to early reports, which might explain why Dutch authorities are carefully dealing with the vessel.

Another Viking Cruises ship, the Viking Hermod, collided with a cargo vessel during a cruise between Basel and Amsterdam two weeks ago. The ship sustained minor damage due to the incident caused by the cargo vessel suddenly changing course.