511 rescued from burning cruise ship

More than 500 passengers have been rescued from the ‘Caribbean Fantasy’ after it set on fire a mile off Puerto Rico’s north coast.

The fire, which began in the engine room, spread to other compartments on board, which led to the entire ship’s evacuation.

Gyno Funes, one of two mechanics who had been in the engine room told the Associated Press that a hose carrying fuel had burst open and caught fire.

Passengers and crewmembers were evacuated from the ship and taken to Pier 6 in San Juan port where emergency service personnel received them for medical evaluations.

The vessel ran aground half a nautical mile from Punta Salinas.

All 511 passengers aboard the 170-metre vessel have been accounted for.