Aegean Sea, Greece — September 25, 2026
A dramatic rescue operation unfolded in the waters north of Mykonos on Friday morning after a Greek cargo ferry loaded with trucks and cars burst into flames mid-voyage — triggering an emergency evacuation that saw every single person on board make it out safely.
What Happened
The Ro-Ro cargo ferry Blue Carrier 2, operated by Attica Group (parent company of Blue Star Ferries), was sailing its scheduled route from Piraeus toward Vathy, Samos — via Syros, Kos, and Rhodes — when fire broke out at around 8:57 a.m. local time. The blaze ignited inside one of the vessel's vehicle garages, reportedly garage number 4, and spread rapidly through the deck packed with cargo.
The ship was carrying a staggering load at the time: 166 trucks and 29 passenger cars. Onboard were 29 people in total — 28 crew members and a single truck driver.
Crew initially attempted to fight the fire themselves using onboard extinguishing equipment, but as flames spread and explosions were reportedly heard coming from the garage decks, the order was given to abandon ship. Radio recordings captured the urgency of the moment, with crew instructing each other to get the lifeboats ready fast.
A Textbook Evacuation
What could have been a maritime disaster turned into a rescue success story. All 29 people calmly boarded the ferry's lifeboats and were subsequently picked up by nearby vessels before being safely transported to the island of Tinos.
Greek authorities threw a serious response at the scene: at least five coast guard vessels, two firefighting speedboats, and additional marine assets from Syros, Mykonos, Lavrio, and Piraeus all raced to assist. A specialized tug and salvage vessel, the Aigaion Pelagos, was also dispatched to help bring the fire under control and secure the ship.
No injuries or deaths were reported — a remarkable outcome given the scale of the fire and the volume of flammable cargo on board.
Fire Still Burning Below Deck
Despite the successful evacuation, the danger wasn't over. Hours after the initial blaze, Greek officials confirmed the fire had not yet been fully extinguished, with flames continuing to spread to other parts of the vessel below deck. A spokesman for Greece's Ministry of Maritime Affairs said firefighting crews were still battling the blaze into the afternoon.
Attica Group confirmed it has brought in specialized environmental and salvage companies to manage the situation, coordinate the firefighting effort, and mitigate any potential environmental impact in the surrounding waters — a real concern given the ferry's size and cargo.
The Vessel
Blue Carrier 2 is no small ship — built in Japan in 1997, it stretches roughly 162.5 meters long with a gross tonnage near 24,000 tons. It's been operating on Attica Group's Greek domestic cargo lines since 2024.
Cause Still Under Investigation
Officials say the exact cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed, though early indications point toward one of the parked trucks in the garage as a possible source. A full investigation is expected once the vessel is secured and firefighting operations conclude.
Echoes of a Darker History
Fires aboard Greek ferries are, unfortunately, not new territory for the region. The incident inevitably draws comparisons to the 2022 Euroferry Olympia disaster near Corfu, where a fire on a similarly loaded vehicle ferry left passengers trapped and several people missing. Friday's outcome, by contrast, stands out as a case of evacuation protocols working exactly as intended — no injuries, no missing persons, and everyone accounted for.
This is a developing story. Updates on the firefighting operation and official cause of the blaze are expected as investigators complete their assessment.