Passengers rescued after tour boat catches fire and starts sinking
More than 40 people were rescued from a tour boat which caught fire and began sinking on the Great Barrier Reef today.
The Queensland Ambulance Service tweeted that a boat carrying 42 people was on fire just after 4.30pm today.
All 42 people on board the vessel, which is believed to be the Spirit of 1770, have been rescued.
The incident occurred 10 nautical miles offshore and is understood to involve a group touring Lady Musgrave Island.
The abandoned vessel is now expected to sink.
Paramedics on scene at boat fire, 10 nautical miles offshore from #LadyMusgraveIsland #CoralSea. Reports vessel carrying 42 ppl is sinking.
— Queensland Ambulance (@QldAmbulance) May 11, 2016
