A fire erupted in the engine room of the oil tanker Annika off Germany’s Baltic Sea coast, prompting the evacuation of all seven crew members, according to the German Sea Rescue Association (DGzRS). The incident occurred in the Bay of Mecklenburg between Kühlungsborn and Warnemünde early Friday morning, October 11, 2024.
The German Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Bremen coordinated the operation, and the crew was rescued by the Wilma Sikorski sea rescue boat. They were taken to the hospital as a precaution, with some sustaining minor injuries.
“Black smoke could be seen from the shore, even though the vessel was about 2.5 nautical miles away,” a DGzRS spokesperson said.
Efforts to extinguish the fire continue, as emergency response teams work to prevent an oil spill. The Annika carries around 640 tons of oil, raising environmental concerns. The ship is being towed to the port of Rostock for further firefighting efforts.
Authorities report the fire is largely under control, and the tanker remains stable as it is escorted to its destination. The crew has been released from the hospital and is receiving care from the German Seamen’s Mission.
