Inquiry into ferry blaze
; Z P.A Reuter■—■Copyright) TOULON (France), July 24. The French maritime authorities will today start [investigating yesterday’s I ferry boat disaster in the [Mediterranean in which at ! least 12 persons died, i The Toulon Prefect (Mr Jean-Marie Robert) said last night that the death toll might rise. More than 300 people were aboard the 100-foot long “Venus des Iles II” when an explosion in the engine-room rocked the ship 10 miles from the island of Porquerolles. Of the 23 persons taken to hospital, eight were seriously burned. I Mr Robert said investigators were working on the i theory that a short-circuit [caused the explosion. I Panic broke out on board [as flames rapidly engulfed I the ferry’ and many people [ jumped into the water, wit--1 nesses said. Mr Robert said the number of people aboard the [ferry was not yet known. More than 400 people were reported in rescue centres, though the ferry had a legal ■ maximum capacity of 300 i passengers. The authorities said it was possible that many people [not aboard the ship went to I the centres in a bid to claim [compensation.
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Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33904, 25 July 1975, Page 9
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189Inquiry into ferry blaze Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33904, 25 July 1975, Page 9
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