Explosions and fire on tuna fishing vessel, Equador

On Feb 28 2011 around 0900 LT tuna fishing vessel Lautaro suffered explosion and fire, vessel berthed in Manta Equador. Vessel was fully loaded with fuel, several firefighting teams and firefighting tug were called on the scene, it took them several hours to bring fire under control, there was another explosion after fire started. Seven people, crew and firefighters, suffered burns and suffocation, one taken to hospital. Explosion occurred during welding works, sparks fell into a canister with acetylene. Vessel has 60 000 gallons of diesel and 1 200 gallons of gasoline on board and was to sail on March 1. f/v Lautaro IMO 8134663, built 1982, flag Panama, owner Cannavo Venezuela.