VILNIUS, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Lithuanian-flagged ferry Regina Seaways with 336 people on board is heading back to Lithuanian shores following a fire incident on Tuesday in the Baltic Sea.
Regina Seaways, operated by Danish company DFDS, has managed to start its main engine and is sailing back to Lithuanian shores, announced Lithuanian Defense Ministry.
On Tuesday afternoon, the ferry carrying 294 passengers and 42 crew members suffered a fire incident at its car decks while in Russia's waters at the Baltic Sea, informed Lithuania's Maritime Rescue Coordination Center.
Later in the afternoon Lithuanian Army told local media the fire at the ferry has been extinguished, and no one was injured.
DFDS press officers told local media there was no open fire, just smoke, which resulted in automatic shutdown of its engines.
According to Lithuanian Army, five Lithuanian military ships have been sent to conduct passenger evacuation if necessary. Russia has also dedicated two ships for the rescue mission.
The incident took place 110 kilometers from Klaipeda Seaport, Western Lithuania. The ferry was heading to Klaipeda from Kiel port in Germany.
Lithuanian military ships will follow Regina Seaways back to Klaipeda seaport, said the Lithuanian Defense Ministry.
