Cruiser MSC Lirica is pictured on fire, while docked in the port of the Greek island of Corfu on March 12, 2021.
According to Marine Traffic, a ship-tracking service, the ship was positioned at the port of Corfu and had been there since March 1.
Facebook user Μαρια Σκουρτη streamed a live video of the ship as it was going up in flames.
In the near hour-long stream, huge black plumes of smoke can be seen billowing from the middle of the ship’s starboard, or right, side. Later, a close-up short reveals orange flames and rescue teams arriving on the scene.
MSC Lirica can carry up to 2,548 passengers and 752 crew members when in full operation, according to the cruise line. The ship is 902 feet long and weighs 65,591 tons.
A government minister has raised hopes that domestic cruise sailings could restart on 17 May.
According to a report in The Independent, maritime minister Robert Courts announced the news at an All-Party Parliamentary Maritime and Group (APPMPG) meeting on 8 March.
In a tweet, the APPMPG said: “**NEWS** Maritime Minister Robert Courts announces the reopening of the domestic #cruise market in England on 17 May at tonight’s @APPMPG meeting.”
It added: “From repatriation procedures and risk mitigations to CV-19 protocols and the domestic vaccination program, a great @APPMPG session w/ @robertcourts who delivered some much-appreciated news. A pathway to the domestic cruise market re-opening on 17 May.”
A Department for Transport spokesperson also told The Independent: “We are committed to restarting cruise travel when it is safe to do so, and we are working closely with the sector to prepare for a safe and successful restart.
“The restart of domestic cruises in England will be aligned with the wider resumption of the domestic tourism and indoor hospitality sectors. As set out in the prime minister’s roadmap, the earliest possible date for this step is 17 May.”
Industry ‘welcomes’ news
In recent weeks, cruise lines have altered their schedules to prepare for shorter UK sailings later this summer.
Princess Cruises said it was “clear that holidays in the UK will be the first to restart before the gradual return of international travel”, while P&O Cruises has confirmed a range of sailings that will depart Southampton and sail around UK coastal waters.
CLIA and the UK Chamber of Shipping said in a joint statement: “We strongly welcome the announcement that cruise will be included alongside the restart of other domestic tourism in the UK.
“The industry has been working with the government over the last year on health protocols which put the safety of our passengers and crew first. Many of these protocols have already been tested successfully where cruise has been able to operate elsewhere in Europe.
“The industry has long planned a phased restart for the cruise, with domestic cruises representing the first stage of this plan. We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the government, including through the Global Travel Taskforce in order to ensure the safe restart of the international cruise in time for the summer season.”
P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow added: “We are delighted that the government has acknowledged that UK domestic cruise holidays can begin from May 17.
MSC Cruises has announced that it is working closely with the Greek Ministry of Tourism and other relevant authorities for the reopening of local tourist services in time to serve cruise passengers visiting Greece, starting with the upcoming Easter holiday period.
In related news, the Company also announced that it is cancelling all of MSC Magnifica’s scheduled cruises through to April 29. MSC Magnifica will thus be replaced for voyages to the Eastern Mediterranean, including Greece, during the Easter period and throughout the summer season.
Guests booked on MSC Magnifica through to April 29 will be offered the option to rebook their MSC Cruises holiday at sea on one of the line’s other ships due to call Greece or on its flagship MSC Grandiosa, which is currently at sea in the Western Mediterranean. Alternatively, guests will receive 125% Future Cruise Credit, valid for all sailings taking place on or before April 30, 2022.
MSC Grandiosa is currently operating weekly cruises leaving every Sunday from Genoa, Italy and calling Civitavecchia, Naples, Palermo/Cagliari in Italy as well as Valetta in Malta. Embarkation is available from each port in Italy.
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