Tourist boat in Turkey engulfed in flames as visitors scramble into water to escape blazing inferno

A tourist boat in Turkey burst into flames as terrified visitors were spotted swimming to safety.

Footage posted on social media shows the vessel engulfed in flames after it caught fire before sinking off the coast of Marmaris, Turkey.

The cause of the blaze known as “Eagle” is currently unknown, but it has been reported the fire began in the vessel’s engine room.

Around seven people were injured in the inferno and had to be taken to hospital, with local media reporting three of the injured are reportedly in critical condition.

The owner of the ship as well as the captain have reportedly been taken into custody.

Harrowing footage shows people swimming away in panic as some bystanders on long boards scramble to help. Many tourists are even picked up by other boats to save them.

Life jackets can be seen strewn across the sea as people from nearby yachts watch on in horror.

The clip shows how the boat became skeletal from being burn almost to dust before sinking.

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It comes as wildfires have been impacting Turkey and neighbouring Greece over the last month.

On July 18, a wildfire that broke out in a forested area near Turkey’s Izmir airport forced the airport to shut down and flights were diverted to nearby cities. Turkey dispatched seven planes and 16 helicopters to fight the fire, along with 35 fire trucks, a local governor’s office said.

In Greece, hundreds of wildfires have broken out following the warmest winter on record that scientists link to global climate change.

This year Greece recorded its warmest-ever winter. June was also the hottest on record and the current heatwave is forecast to be the country’s longest ever, said Kostas Lagouvardos, research director of the national observatory.

A spokesperson from the Foreign and Commonwealth office said: “If there is a wildfire in your area, local authorities may tell you to leave your accommodation.

“Follow the directions of local authorities. If you see a wildfire, call emergency services on 112.”

Britons could risk a huge fine or prison sentence if they light a fire of any kind or discard cigarettes in risk areas such as woodland, it added.