Ferry ablaze between Jordan and Egypt
 

Hundreds of passengers have been evacuated from a ferry that caught fire in the Red Sea, officials say.

They said the fire had been mostly brought under control.

The ferry, carrying at least 1,200 people, caught fire about 15 nautical miles from the Jordanian port of Aqaba, Egyptian officials said.

It was headed to Nuweiba in Egypt and most of the passengers were said to be Egyptian migrant workers. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

As many as 1,000 passengers were evacuated from the boat, which officials said had been severely damaged.

Egyptian TV said military aircraft as well as boats were also being deployed in the rescue operation.

The ferry is owned by Arab Bridge Maritime Company (AB Maritime), a joint venture between the governments of Jordan, Egypt and Iraq, Reuters news agency reported.

More than 1,000 people were killed in 2006 after a ferry crossing from Saudi Arabia and Egypt sank in the Red Sea.

BBC News - Ferry ablaze between Jordan and Egypt

Thanks for the news. Really hope no one got hurt and that the ferry will be up and running soon.

This is the Aqaba/Nuweiba ferry - the only way to get from Jordan to Egypt "overland" without driving through Israel.

We came over to Jordan on this very ship (the Pella) three weeks ago. At the time it was the ONLY car carrying boat sailing the Gulf of Aqaba so anyone heading overland ME to Africa needs to keep an eye on what is happening here.

Apparantly the fire has caused millions of dollars of improvements :ninja:

According to the ferry company there are three ships. Regular (as I understand the one in flames), Fast ferry and a truck ferry. Under vehicle tariff there prices for both fast and regular ferry.
:: Welcome to Arab Bridge Maritime company website ::

I hope the fast ferry still runs with vehicles or if it doesn't maybe one can use the truck ferry.

wow - im glad there are more ferries.. i was starting to think that everything was going against me! First I can not get into Syria now for a second I thought I couldnt get from Jordan to Egypt!

Thank god for the two other ships!

Don't get too excited, but let's HOPE the fast ferry runs with cars, as their site says. :tongue3:

When we sailed (10th October) there was only one ferry operating - the Pella, now no more. She was the slow boat - left at 3pm (from Nuweiba) each day and took about 3.5 hours. I imagine they will have an alternative in place by now but don't rely on the website info - arrive the day before you want to travel and see what's happening.