Cruise Ship Fire Disrupts Voyage, Caused by AC Failure

Photo byXiao Hui

A fire broke out in the engine room of the Adora Mediterranea cruise ship while docked in Jeju, South Korea, on Wednesday, resulting in injuries to three crew members.

The ship, operated by Adora Cruises, has since been deemed safe to sail after undergoing inspections but has faced significant disruptions to its itinerary.

According to a Korean news outlet, the fire was reported to local authorities around 8:37 a.m. on Wednesday, August 14, with smoke visible from the ship's starboard side.

The ship's onboard safety systems, including sprinklers, quickly contained the blaze.

While the extent of the damage is still being assessed, approximately 50 square meters of the engine room, including the ceiling and nearby pipes, was affected.

The three injured crew members sustained smoke inhalation but have since been treated. No passengers were physically harmed, though some were evacuated from their cabins as a precautionary measure.

Many passengers were ashore enjoying the port of call when the incident occurred.

"We are very sorry to inform you that today … the air conditioning system failed during the stopover of the Mediterranea in Jeju, South Korea," Adora Cruises stated in a letter to passengers. "The [ship] is undergoing relevant maintenance, which will have an impact on the follow-up itinerary of this cruise."

The incident led to a delay in the ship's departure from Jeju, necessitating overnight accommodations for all passengers in local hotels at the cruise line's expense. The scheduled port call to Fukuoka, Japan, was canceled.

To compensate for the disruption, Adora Cruises offered guests a complimentary tour of Jeju, waived hotel service fees, and provided a 50% refund of the cruise fare. Passengers will also receive 400 RMB (approximately $56 USD) as compensation for the canceled port visit.

The 85,619-gross-ton Adora Mediterranea, which can accommodate up to 2,680 passengers and 736 crew members, was originally built as the Costa Mediterranea in 2003.

It joined Adora Cruises' fleet in 2023 following extensive renovations. The ship is currently homeported in Tianjin, China, and offers cruises to destinations including Jeju and various ports in Japan.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, though it is believed to be linked to a failure in the air conditioning system. Additional safety measures are being implemented to prevent similar incidents.

While the fire caused significant inconvenience for passengers, the swift actions of the ship's crew and emergency responders prevented a more serious situation.