Spain – A fishing vessel caught fire around 2:00 p.m. local time on March 16, 2026, roughly 2.5 miles offshore in the La Renegà area between Benicàssim and Oropesa del Mar. Thick black smoke and bright orange flames rose high as the boat drifted amid open waters.

Rescue teams from the Guardia Civil Maritime Service saved all three crew members, transferring them safely to port. One fisherman was treated for smoke inhalation. Firefighters from the Consorci Provincial de Bombers de Castelló assisted Salvamento Marítimo in containing the blaze before leaving once the scene was stabilized.

The vessel’s engine room was the center of the intense fire, and patrol and salvage boats coordinated closely during the operation. Despite efforts to control the blaze, the boat eventually sank due to hull damage.

Authorities confirmed that all crew members were safe, with no further casualties reported.

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