Drama in the port of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin.
Around seven o'clock in the morning on Monday, December 19, firefighters were called to help a boat on fire in the port of La Manche, reports the newspaper
La Manche Libre
.
Two people, a 66-year-old man and woman, were found dead.
In all, about fifty people were sent to control the flames on the ship of about ten meters which was moored.
The two owners of the boat, who were missing (as well as their dog), were then nowhere to be found.
Despite the difficult weather conditions on site (rain and strong winds), the fire was brought under control around 9:30 a.m.
The lifeless bodies of the two owners were finally recovered around 10:30 a.m., after intensive searches by divers from the SNSM (Sea Rescuers).
Last I heard, the dog was still missing.
The boat, meanwhile, was completely burned: “
Only the mast remains,
” said Muriel Jozeau-Marigné, deputy mayor in charge of the marina, to Le
Figaro
.
Still according to the deputy mayor, the fire would have started at 6 am.
An eyewitness reportedly saw two people trying to put out the flames attacking the catamaran.
When they arrived, the emergency services tried to reach the two owners by telephone, without success.
An investigation has been opened to determine the circumstances of the tragedy.