This courtesy of Reuters Alertnet @ http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L06803310.htm

"06 Feb 2008 10:08:41 GMT
Source: Reuters
(Adds Croatian ministry's statement)

ZAGREB, Feb 6 (Reuters) - A Turkish freight ship caught fire close to Croatian territorial waters on Wednesday and was likely to sink, but all crew members and passengers had been rescued, Croatian marine officials said.

Croatia's sea and transport ministry said the incident happened 13 nautical miles west of the Adriatic town of Rovinj.

"The ship's stern is completely destroyed, while its prow is is still burning," the ministry said in a statement.

The statement said the 193-metre long ship "Und Adriyatik" was sailing from Istanbul to Trieste and was carrying "200 trucks and nine tons of dangerous material".

A local emergency official said the cargo included trucks and oil derivatives. The official said Croatian fire-fighting planes and ships were trying to extinguish the blaze but the ship might be beyond help.

The ministry said the ship's 22 crew members and nine passengers had all been rescued by a Greek ship that was sailing nearby and were on their way to Venice."

Regards

Steve Ellwood