A fire aboard the Liberia-registered cruise ship World Legacy, en route to Singapore, resulted in the death of one Indonesian crew member and hospitalized four passengers in the early hours of Friday. The blaze, which originated on deck nine, prompted a swift evacuation of all 271 passengers.
Key Takeaways
- One Indonesian crew member died in the fire.
- Four passengers received hospital treatment.
- The fire started in a lounge area on deck nine.
- All 271 passengers were evacuated from the ship.
- The Singapore Civil Defence Force extinguished the blaze.
Emergency Unfolds on World Legacy
Passengers on the World Legacy cruise ship were woken by urgent alarms and knocking on cabin doors around 4 AM on Friday. Madam May Lau, a passenger, described the situation as immediate and serious. "They were knocking so loudly, I thought there was no way this was a drill," she said in Mandarin. She quickly smelled smoke, indicating a real problem. Passengers were instructed to leave their cabins without gathering belongings.
The fire broke out on deck nine of the vessel. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) marine firefighters responded and successfully extinguished the blaze. The Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) confirmed the fatality of an Indonesian crew member. No other injuries were reported among the remaining 388 crew members.
Incident Snapshot
- Date: Friday, February 20, 2026
- Ship: World Legacy (Liberia-registered)
- Casualties: 1 crew member deceased, 4 passengers hospitalized
- Passengers: 271 evacuated (139 Singaporean)
- Crew: 388 (none Singaporean)
- Origin: Lounge area, Deck 9
Passenger Accounts of Fear and Evacuation
The smell of smoke was a common detail shared by passengers. Jonathan, traveling with a lion dance troupe, woke to alarms and the distinct odor of smoke. His primary concern was for the younger members of his group. "We were scared," he stated. "This is the first time something like this has happened to them, so it was inevitable that they would be scared."
Madam Lau and her husband were among those quickly moved to the seventh deck, where they put on life jackets. They waited for several hours. "When I looked up from the open area, I could see the smoke from above. And I started to get scared," she recounted.
"They told us to get up as soon as we could. I could smell the smoke in the air and I knew there was a problem. We didn't even have time to take our things."
Another passenger, Mr. Ng, confirmed the strong smell of smoke. He noted that while the fire itself was not visible, the smoke was pervasive. He also observed the extensive efforts to combat the fire. "They were really fighting the fire with a lot of water. The entire carpet was drenched."
What is Raffles Reserved Anchorage?
The World Legacy is currently anchored at Raffles Reserved Anchorage, a specific area within the Port of Singapore. This anchorage is typically used for specialized maritime activities, including vessel repairs and the temporary storage or offloading of ships. It is situated near Pulau Semakau and Pulau Senang.
Investigation Underway
Following the initial containment of the fire, passengers were moved from the seventh deck to the third deck. From there, they were ferried to the HarbourFront terminal via a Batam Fast Ferry vessel. Paramedics were on site at the terminal to attend to any passengers requiring medical attention. Four individuals were transported to the hospital for further assessment.
Preliminary investigations by the MPA indicate the fire began in a lounge area located on deck nine of the World Legacy. The body of the deceased crew member has been brought ashore. Authorities have launched a full investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire.
The World Legacy remains anchored at Raffles Reserved Anchorage. This designated area within the Port of Singapore is used for specific maritime purposes, such as vessel repairs and storage. The investigation will continue while the ship is in this secure location.
Safety Protocols and Future Measures
Cruise ship safety protocols are a critical aspect of maritime travel. Incidents like the fire on the World Legacy highlight the importance of effective emergency response and passenger evacuation procedures. Crew members are regularly trained to handle such situations, guiding passengers to safety and deploying firefighting measures.
The swift action of the World Legacy crew and the Singapore Civil Defence Force was instrumental in managing the crisis. While the investigation is ongoing, authorities will likely review all aspects of the incident to prevent similar occurrences in the future. This includes examining the ship's fire suppression systems, emergency communication, and crew training.
For the 139 Singaporean passengers and others aboard, the experience was undoubtedly distressing. The focus now shifts to supporting those affected and ensuring a thorough understanding of what transpired. The maritime community will closely watch the investigation's findings to learn from this unfortunate event.
