After the fire and rescue operation, the ferry heads for the port – 270 people are still on board

After a fire and a dramatic evacuation operation, the ferry Stena Scandica is expected in the port of Nynäshamn south of the Swedish capital Stockholm on Tuesday morning. When the ship will dock also depends on the weather, said a spokeswoman for the shipping authority late Monday evening. The ferry is heading towards the port at limited speed. The danger of stranding is averted, it said. On board the ferry were more than 270 of the original 299 people, including 241 passengers.

A fire broke out in a refrigerated container on the ferry's car deck on Monday, but it was quickly extinguished. However, the fire had caused a power failure, after which the ferry had drifted south towards the island of Gotland in strong winds in the evening.

A tugboat that was to take the ship to Nynäshamn harbor was still underway at the time. Fearing that the ship might run aground before its arrival, rescue workers began evacuating the ferry. Families with children and the elderly were evacuated with the help of helicopters. The evacuation was then called off due to nightfall. According to the TT news agency, 25 people were taken to another ferry.

Just offshore, the crew of the Stena Scandica managed to get two engines running, allowing the ferry to move north from Gotland under its own power. Accompanied by the tugboat and the coastguard, she then set course for Nynäshamn. The mood on board is calm, there are no injuries, it said.

The ferry was near the small Swedish island of Gotska Sandön when the fire broke out. She was on her way from Ventspils in Latvia to Nynäshamn.