HAIFA, Israel -- An explosion triggered a fire on a Greek passenger ferry carrying Scandanivian tourists to Israel, forcing the evacuation of all 400 aboard, injuring four people and leaving one other missing and presumed dead, officials said.
Officials could not immediately determine the cause of the blast in the ship's warehouse.
The officials said four of those aboard were injured and another was missing and presumed dead.
The ship, the Arion, sailed from Piraeus, Greece and the fire broke out when the ship was in view of its destination, the northern Israeli port of Haifa, officials said.
Police and fire brigades tried to put out the blaze but were unsuccessful and the 250 passengers and 150 crewmembers were evacuated to shore in two harbor boats. Officials said the passengers were mostly Scandanavian tourists.
