Fifty-two passengers managed to escape unhurt after a fire erupted aboard a ferry in Langkawi, this afternoon.

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Kedah and Perlis, deputy director (Operation) Capt Zulinda Ramly said during the incident, the ferry was carrying passengers from Kuah Ferry Terminal to Kuala Perlis.

“The ferry left at 2.30pm and about 15 minutes later, a fire erupted in the ferry’s engine room. The crew, on realising what was happening, immediately directed the passengers to gather at the front of the ferry.

“All 52 passengers were then transferred to fishing boats and ferries nearby that arrived to assist after the ferry’s captain asked for help,” he said when met by Bernama at the Kuah Ferry Terminal today.

Zulinda said all the passengers were safe except a woman and a man, who were injured, and taken to the hospital.

A check by Bernama found that passengers were taken to the Kuah Ferry Terminal and at 4.30pm, they were still there.

-- Bernama