By Josh 
Chaos erupted on the high seas early Thursday morning as a Princess Cruise liner was engulfed in flames following a sudden electrical explosion in the lower deck’s power unit. The terrifying incident occurred at approximately 2:50 a.m., while the vessel was en route from St. Thomas to Fort Lauderdale with more than 3,100 passengers and 1,200 crew members on board. Witnesses say the explosion shook the entire ship, knocking people out of their beds as lights flickered and alarms blared across every deck.
Passengers described a scene of utter confusion and terror. “We heard a loud blast, then saw smoke rushing through the hallways,” one passenger told reporters via satellite phone. “The crew shouted for everyone to move to the upper deck, but you could barely see anything — it was chaos.” Social media footage from those on board shows plumes of black smoke rising from the ship’s midsection as people huddled in life vests under the night sky.
The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that they received a distress call around 3:10 a.m. and immediately dispatched helicopters and rescue boats. Early reports indicate that at least 18 people have been injured, including several crew members suffering from burns and smoke inhalation. Despite the crew’s quick action, the fire spread rapidly through multiple compartments, reportedly fueled by flammable materials near the ship’s main generator room.
In an official statement, Princess Cruises acknowledged the emergency, confirming that the blaze originated from a “severe electrical malfunction” in the ship’s energy control system. The company added that the fire suppression systems were deployed immediately, but parts of the lower deck remain inaccessible due to extreme heat and structural damage. “Our focus right now is on the safety and well-being of all guests and crew members,” the statement read.
Families of passengers gathered anxiously at Fort Lauderdale Port, demanding updates and fearing the worst. Some expressed frustration over the cruise line’s delayed communication. “We’ve heard nothing official — just rumors online,” said one distraught relative. “It’s terrifying not knowing if our loved ones are safe.”
As of this hour, the ship remains adrift nearly 90 miles northeast of the Bahamas, with rescue operations ongoing. Firefighters and Coast Guard personnel continue battling to fully extinguish the flames before towing the damaged vessel to shore. The Princess Cruise fire stands as one of the most alarming maritime disasters in recent years, sparking urgent questions about safety standards and electrical maintenance aboard modern cruise liners.