Story By: Jonathan Macias, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News
Video Credit: CEN/@mariol.gomezramirez
This is the moment a blazing fishing boat sends toxic black smoke high into the air leading to the evacuation of 1,200 people.
Local media said the blaze broke out while a team of welders carried out maintenance works on the boat, named ‘Maria Veronica’.
However, the fire reportedly reached the fuel tanks and the boat blaze went out of control, burning for several hours.
The incident was filmed in the Port of Manzanillo in the city of Colima in the western Mexican state of the same name, and the footage has been widely shared on social media.
Video Credit: CEN/@mariol.gomezramirez
According to reports, over 1,200 people were evacuated from the different offices and docks in the port after the tuna fishing boat caught fire and released toxic black smoke into the air.
The vessel reportedly belong to Grupo Mar, the company that makes the tuna brand Tuny.
As well as the evacuation of 1,200 people, the fire left the port without power during its duration, and the Mexican Navy set up a perimeter to prevent the arrival of vessels and other vehicles that did not belong to the emergency services.
According to local media, no one was reported as injured and the authorities have confirmed they have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the blaze and the extent of the damage to the port.
Video Credit: CEN/@DIMEAMA
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