Government Officials Met with Carnival Cruise Port Managers following Fire Incident

#TurksandCaicos, May 27, 2022 – On the morning of Thursday, May 26, 2022, the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) was notified of an incident at the Carnival Cruise Centre on the island of Grand Turk, where there was a fire on the vessel Carnival Freedom Cruise Line.

A quick response by both the Carnival Freedom Cruise Response Team and TCI Domestic Fire team quickly extinguished the blaze and brought the incident under control.

The Deputy Governor, along with the Acting Director of DDME and TCI Regiment, visited Grand Turk to assess the situation. A meeting was convened with the Carnival Terminal Management Team and was co-chaired by Deputy Governor and Hon. Otis Morris, Minister of Home Affairs, Transportation and Communication. The purpose of the meeting was to identify resources needed and coordinate and support response between Carnival Terminal Management team and the TCI Government.

Also present at this meeting to provide support were representatives from the following agencies: Port Authority, Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR), Domestic Fire Department, TCI Airport Authority, Department of Maritime and Fisheries and the Ministry of Tourism.

Carnival Terminal Managers reported that no one sustained injuries and the ship is operating on full power, however access to the upper deck is currently restricted. An assessment Team (Carnival) was requested and is expected to arrive later today (Thursday, May 26, 2022) to assess the ability of the ship to sail.

Subsequent to the meeting at Carnival Cruise Centre, a preliminary assessment was conducted at JAGS McCartney International Airport to explore the possibility of charter flights landing on Grand Turk for passengers who may not wish to return on the Cruise Line Vessel.

The situation is under control and commendation is expressed to all agencies for their support in bringing the incident under control.