Israeli Tourists Flee Burning Tour Boat During Montenegro Vacation
A birthday vacation in Montenegro for a Ramat Gan resident and her mother turned into a terrifying ordeal after a fire broke out on their tour boat near Budva.
Vacation in Montenegro Turns into Nightmare
Talia, a resident of Ramat Gan, traveled with her mother to Montenegro for a birthday vacation. Yesterday afternoon, the two boarded a two-hour boat cruise departing from Budva. Just fifteen minutes into the trip, a fire broke out on the vessel, forcing an emergency evacuation.
"We purchased tickets properly from the tourism company and boarded the boat along with other tourists," Talia told Mako. "After getting on, we saw there were quite a few people, so I asked the guide if it was safe, and he said yes, everything was fine."
Panic and Evacuation at Sea
During a stop near one of the caves on the tour route, passengers and crew noticed smoke rising from the front of the boat. The fire quickly intensified, causing severe smoke and panic. Passengers began jumping into the water without life jackets as crew members failed to extinguish the flames. Local fishing boats and other vessels quickly arrived at the scene to rescue the stranded tourists.
Following the rescue, Talia and her mother were taken to a hospital to treat smoke inhalation and minor injuries sustained during the chaotic evacuation. Both have since been discharged but remain shaken by the traumatic incident.
