Fire On Miami-Bound Cruise Ship Kills Three People
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Three people are dead after flames erupted on-board a luxury cruise ship that was docked in St. Lucia.
Passengers that were on the Oceania cruise ship Insignia arrived at Miami International Airport early Friday morning.
A passenger, after witnessing the tragedy that occurred, arrived at Miami international Airport early Friday morning and recalled the tragedy she had witnessed.
"I saw one fellow, they were resuscitating on the dock and he was already expired by the time they got to him but they tried very valiantly," said Elizabeth Barrett.
Around 8:30 AM Thursday a fire broke out in the engine room, according to Oceania.
Click here to watch CBS4 Marybel Rodriguez's report
The fire started while the luxury ship was docked in St. Lucia.
One crew member and two contractors did not make it out alive, according Oceania. Two other crew members were injured as a result of the fire.
"The captain came on said they had a fire down in the engine room, one of the generators had burned up. After that I can't tell you anything else…obviously it can't be repaired or they wouldn't have sent us home," said Richard Black, a passenger on the ship at the time of the fire.
All 684 passengers were immediately evacuated and flown to Miami. The ship was expected was to arrive in Miami December 22nd.
Many passengers appeared visibly shaken following the incident.
"They got to be like family after all the time we were on the ship so yeah it makes you feel pretty bad," said Black.
The cruise line Oceania put out a statement in response to the incident, "We are deeply saddened by the tragic events that occurred this morning on Insignia. We have extended our heartfelt condolences to the family of those involved and are offering them our full support. This is truly an emotional time for all of us at Oceania Cruises."
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