Tragedy Strikes: Crew Member Killed and Passengers Evacuated in World Legacy Cruise Ship Fire

A fire on the World Legacy cruise ship tragically resulted in the death of a crew member and left at least four passengers needing medical attention as it approached Singapore on February 20, 2026.

The incident began around 4 a.m. in a lounge on Deck 9. At that time, the ship was carrying 271 guests and 388 crew members. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore confirmed that the initial evacuation efforts began promptly, with a ferry transporting 190 passengers to the HarbourFront Ferry Terminal. Eventually, all remaining passengers were evacuated.

Although the identity of the deceased crew member, an Indonesian national, has not been released, the port authority has indicated that necessary authorities are involved, including the Indonesian embassy in Singapore.

Local agencies, such as the Singaporean Police Coast Guard and the port authority’s marine division, have launched investigations into the incident. As a precaution, a small team of crew members remained on the ship to support ongoing operations while the majority were evacuated.

The World Legacy is anchored at Raffles Reserved Anchorage, a designated area for ships needing repairs. The port authority established a safety zone around the ship to ensure other vessels steer clear while they assess the situation.

The extent of the fire’s damage remains unclear, and World Cruises has yet to issue a statement on the future of cruise operations, although it’s likely that the ship will be out of service for an unknown duration.

Historically, fire incidents on cruise ships are infrequent but do occur. Notable recent occurrences include a small fire on the Island Princess in July 2025 and another on P&O Cruises’ Iona in August 2025, both of which were contained without injuries reported.

For further details, you can view the official statements from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore here.

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