April 2, 2013 - 19:30 AMT
Dozens evacuated after ferry fire off Istanbul coast

Dozens of passengers were evacuated from a tourist ferry off the coast of Istanbul on Tuesday, April 2 after a fire started on the vessel, but there were no immediate reports of serious injuries, Reuters said.

Turkish television showed smoke pouring from the back of the vessel, several hundred meters (yards) from the shore, as two other ferries drew up to rescue the stranded passengers. The cause of the fire was unknown.

State-run news channel TRT said all passengers were safely evacuated from the ferry, which was travelling between Istanbul and the popular Princes' Islands in the Sea of Marmara. It said some were taken to hospital after inhaling smoke.