On February 20, a devastating fire broke out on the World Legacy cruise ship, leading to the death of a crew member and hospitalization of four passengers. The incident occurred around 4 a.m. local time as the ship was en route to Singapore, carrying 271 passengers, among whom 139 were residents of Singapore. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) reported that 338 crew members were on board at the time, and the crew attempted to extinguish the flames while passengers were evacuated.

Firefighters from the Singapore Civil Defence Force responded promptly, successfully controlling the blaze that originated in the lounge area on the ninth deck. Fortunately, all passengers were safely evacuated to HarbourFront Ferry Terminal. However, the situation was chaotic, as described by one passenger on Instagram, who expressed panic during the incident. The emergency response highlights the readiness of local authorities and the crew in managing such crisis situations on crowded vessels.

This incident could have significant implications for cruise ship safety regulations and passenger safety protocols. Investigations may follow to assess the cause of the fire and the effectiveness of the emergency response, which is essential to enhance safety measures for future voyages. With the cruise industry still recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring passenger safety remains a top priority to regain public confidence in cruising.