Manzanillo, Colima — More than 1,200 people were evacuated from the port of Manzanillo after a large tuna boat caught fire.
The fire broke out just before 1:00 p.m. as the vessel was about to set sail. Preliminary reports say a group of workers on board were welding, as part of maintenance work, when the fire started. The fire quickly spread throughout the vessel, María Verónica, belonging to the company, Marindustrias.
Emergency personnel evacuated nearly 1,200 people from the port for fear of explosions. Personnel of the Mexican Navy and the Federal Police secured a wide perimeter to prevent the entry of people.
Port emergency personnel worked with Pemex and Marindustrias emergency brigades to quell the fire, which lasted into the evening hours. There were no reported injuries.
