Cruise Ship Fire Kills One, 320 Forced To Evacuate In Russia

A Russian cruise ship caught fire in St. Petersburg and killed one person with more than 300 people evacuated.

According to cruise news, the fire broke out onboard the Pyotr Tchaikovsky river-cruise ship on August 22 at St. Petersburg.

The fire was detected at around 05:30 a.m. local time and extinguished in less than one hour, Russian media Fontanka reported.

The Pyotr Tchaikovsky was operated by Russian company Doninturflot.

The origin of the fire has been traced to the boat's engine room where a person died. It is unknown if the victim was a crew member or a passenger. An investigation has been ordered into the fire.

Miraculous escape for New Zealand couple

A New Zealand couple belonging to Dunedin said they had a narrow escape from the fire in the Russian cruise ship.

They described the event as “harrowing.” They recalled the early morning evacuation after fire from the Russian cruise ship spread to their nearby vessel.

The Russian cruise ship Pyotr Tchaikovsky was moored alongside the Kiwi's cruise ship.

The couple John and Chris Burton were on the Kiwi ship in St Petersburg on an 11-day cruise deal when the fire broke out.

At 5.15am the Kiwi couple were woken up by a loud Russian announcement on the intercom.

“We couldn't understand a word of what was being said. We had nothing but our sleepwear.”

After a knock on the door, a crew member asked them to get life jackets and rush to the shore.

“We joined a large gathering and noted the arrival of several fire trucks followed by ambulances,” they said.

Emergency vehicles included 12 fire trucks and six ambulances. Smoke was seen “billowing out” from the rear of the Russian vessel.

Disney cruise gets a new ship

Meanwhile, there is good news for Disney cruise lovers. A brand-new ship Disney Wish will soon join the Disney Cruise Line. The new ship adds to the fleet of Wonder, Dream, and Magic.

The Disney Wish will start sailing from January 2022.

“Spirited, smart, curious and above all, adventurous, Rapunzel embodies the wish and desire to see and experience the world,” a media release said.

The Wish will be part of the three new ships planned for the DCL.

The Disney Cruise Line guests can expect a signature island experience to celebrate nature and the culture of The Bahamas.

The new Disney port of call on the breathtaking island of Eleuthera at Lighthouse Point will be a great experience.

It will be the second island destination in the Bahamas. At present cruise itineraries in the Bahamas call on Castaway Cay, Disney's private island.