Tour Boat Fire in Montenegro Forces Passenger Evacuation

A tourist boat trip in Montenegro nearly ended in disaster when a fire broke out, forcing passengers to evacuate into the water and onto other vessels. Talia, a resident of Ramat Gan, was on the two-hour tour from Budva with her mother to celebrate her birthday when the incident occurred.

After boarding the crowded boat, Talia inquired about safety, and the guide assured her it was secure. The fire started in the front of the boat during a stop near a cave. "At first, we didn't understand what was happening, and then the smoke intensified and fire broke out," Talia recounted. "People started choking from the amount of smoke. It was a stressful situation."

The crew's attempts to extinguish the fire were unsuccessful, leading to panic. Passengers, including children, jumped into the sea, some swimming to a nearby rock. Talia's mother, who cannot swim, was particularly distressed. "My mother doesn't know how to swim, and she was very panicked," Talia said. "We didn't know what to do, and we were also afraid the boat would explode."

A small fishing boat arrived, and Talia's mother was helped aboard first, sustaining a leg injury in the hurried evacuation. Other boats soon arrived to rescue the remaining passengers, including those who had jumped into the water. Some passengers were denied reentry to retrieve belongings due to fears of an explosion.

Following the rescue, Talia and her mother were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation. Her mother also received treatment for her leg injury. A day later, Talia described the experience as a lasting trauma, noting the distress of the children on board, but expressed relief that they were safe.