EU – Baltic States, Legislation, Lithuania, Transport

Photo: Havariekommando via Getty Images.

"As we know from media reports, the fire broke out because of undetermined reasons when the ferry sailed in the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea, 26 nautical miles from the port of Kiel. The Lisco Gloria sails under the flag of the Republic of Lithuania, therefore, given these circumstances, the fire is considered as having taken place in the Republic of Lithuania," Prosecutor Kristina Prialgauskiene said in a press release.

According to the prosecutor, the pre-trial investigation must be carried out to determine the cause of a fire, to ascertain whether there was no breach of occupational safety and health at work requirements, special safety rules in vessels, etc.

The sea port police division of the chief police commissariat of Klaipeda county was commissioned to conduct the pre-trial investigation, writes LETA/ELTA.

As reported, a series of explosions on board triggered a fire on the Lisco Gloria on its way from Kiel (Germany) to Klaipeda on early Saturday. According to revised data, and all 236 passengers and crew were rescued immediately. No serious injuries have been reported. Officials said a fire on a truck in the hold of the ferry was possibly the cause of the blaze.

The president of the Linava (the Lithuanian National Road Carriers' Association), Algimantas Kondrusevicius, told the Lithuanian Radio that the damages may total tens of million litas at least.