Yacht fire: Luxury vessel Irmao sinks off Spanish island

Yacht fire: Irmao sinks off Formentera after blaze.

The 90-ft (27.34m) luxury yacht Irmao has sunk off the Spanish Balearic Island of Formentera after a devastating  fire on Saturday, August 12th, confirms the Spanish coastguard agency Salvamento Marítimo.

Private boats rescued 17 people on board the vessel. One crew member received hospital treatment for minor burns, according to media reports. Salvamento Marítimo said the vessel sank while under tow by one of its rescue vessels – the 20ft (6m) Salvamar Acrux dispatched by its Palma control centre. The coastguard had intended to tow the yacht away from the beach, as a safety measure and in preparation for salvage.

Videos on social media platforms captured the motor yacht engulfed in flames in proximity to other vessels.

The vessel is thought to belong to Spanish poker star Diego Gómez González, who is known as The Lion. Yacht fire investigators are probing the cause of the blaze.

Irmao was launched in 1995 and refitted in 2018, according to Charterworld. The vessel had accommodation for 12 guests, more than seven cabins. Designed by Astandoa, the vessel had a top speed of 16knots and a crew of four. The luxury yacht was offered for charter at €45,000 ($49,000)/wk. (Image courtesy of Salvamento Marítimo).