PAPE'ETE, Tahiti (Oceania Flash) - One of Tahiti's most famous luxury liners, the Wind Song, had to be evacuated early on Monday due to a fire onboard, as it was carrying some 127 passengers and 92 crew members in the Leeward Island group.
According to Tahitipresse, the cause of the fire, believed to have started in the engine room, was not immediately known. The ship was located 12 nautical miles off Tahaa Island.
The decision to evacuate was made half an hour later by France's representative in French Polynesia, High Commissioner Michel Mathieu after Wind Song's skipper said he could no longer rely on electricity to fight the fire.
All passengers were transferred to the "Aremiti", a ferry that was sent to the rescue, then onto nearby Raiatea Island. No casualties were reported.
The passengers are to be flown back to Tahiti later today.
Wind Song owner, American Seattle-based company Windstar cruise, while confirming the evacuation, said 17...