A massive evacuation effort has been launched as a ferry with nearly 400 passengers on board ran ashore near Benidorm on Friday night in south-eastern Spain, Balearia, the company operating the Pinal del Rio ferry, reported.
The vessel was transporting tourists from Ibiza and Majorca and ran aground as it was preparing to anchor in harbour.
Evacuación del ferry de Balearia 3 horas después del incidente pic.twitter.com/RjQRjgBbmb
— Carlos Jaén (@carolusmaximo) August 17, 2019
Un ferry de @Balearia encalló a medianoche en la bocana del puerto de #Dénia, con 400 pasajeros. La rápida actuación de @salvamentogob, y de la @guardiacivil y la @policiadenia, permitió evacuar a los pasajeros antes de las 2 sin lamentar daños.
— Vicent Grimalt (@VicentGrimalt) August 17, 2019
👏 Muchas gracias a todos. pic.twitter.com/IllnnbLa8U
Nobody received any injures in the incident. However, the Spanish Coast Guard immediately proceeded to evacuate the stranded holidaymakers. The tourists were either relocated to other ships or taken to nearby resorts by buses.
Caos , falta de conocimiento de acción , posible capitán ebrio , @balearia debe dar explicaciones de lo acontecido #caos #evacuación #Denia #accidente #ferry #accidentebalearia pic.twitter.com/VkbNhv0Exu
— oyeldrg (@oyeldrg) August 17, 2019
According to Balearia, the incident did not lead to a fuel spill in the harbour. Rescuers are working on anchoring the ferry in the port.
