Download the all-new Republic app:

Published 16:55 IST, March 16th 2020

UK: Fire aboard a boat leads to an explosion, eight people saved

The eight people were saved by a private boat nearby with The Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade, and London Ambulances.

Reported by: Digital Desk
Follow: Google News Icon
  • share
null | Image: self
Advertisement

As per reports, panic struck a 20-foot boat, sailing on River Thames which then exploded and caught fire. Eight people jumped overboard. The eight people were then saved by a private boat nearby with The Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade, and London Ambulances assisting when the boat blew up near Twickenham at about 3:15 PM on September 21. One person was rushed to the hospital with minor injuries. A similar incident happened earlier this year in July when a Cruiser rammed into a central London Bridge.

READ | FWICE Sends Notice To Anup Jalota, Talat Aziz To Cancel London Shows

Advertisement

The incident

Reportedly, At about 3:15 pm local time, police and medical authorities got calls on September 21 from Orleans Road, Twickenham of a boat being on fire on the River Thames. The boat later exploded with eight people jumping overboard and be rescued by a private boat. Authorities later assisted the people around. A video of the incident has been posted on Twitter by musician Rhydian Roberts who happened to be around in the area at that time.

According to reports, A London ambulance spokesperson said that they were called at 3:16 PM on September 21 to Twickenham to respond to the incident of fire on the boat on the River Thames. He further revealed that a significant quantity of assets was dispatched to area which included two incident response officers, an advanced paramedic, and a hazardous area response team. 

Advertisement

READ | Pre-World War 1 British Naval Warship On The National Heritage List

READ | Beyonce Finds Fresh Spot Amongst British Royals At Madame Tussauds

Advertisement

Past Incident

However, this is not the first time an incident has happened upon River Thames this year. As per earlier reports, In July, earlier this year a boat with tourists onboard rammed into the Westminster Bridge on River Thames when Emergency services were called after a City Cruisers boat had hit the underside of a London bridge in the late afternoon. Witnesses reportedly, said that passengers aboard were screaming as the ship slammed into the structure, and then photos were circulating on social media which purportedly showed that boat was stuck on the river near Houses of Parliament. 

READ: London: Dairy Allergy Cause Of Teenager Owen Carey's Death In 2017

Advertisement

READ: Thomas Cook Shuts Down With Immediate Effect, Thousands Stranded

18:33 IST, September 24th 2019