Carnival Triumph evacuated after nearby explosions

Explosions in a US port have promoted Carnival Triumph, which was undergoing repairs nearby, to be evacuated.

Work on the 2,758-passenger ship has been on-going since an engine fire in February left it without power and drifting in the Gulf of Mexico.

Multiple explosions were reported in the port in Mobile, Alabama, caused when two fuel barges were said to have slipped their moorings.

Triumph, which was moored across the river from the incident, has many workers living on board undertaking the repairs ahead of an expected return to service on June 3.

Earlier this month the ship broke free of its moorings in Mobile and collided with a barge. A shipyard worker who was on an adjacent pier at the time was killed in the incident.

Three people were reported to be critically injured by today’s explosions, although none associated with Carnival. The fire was said to have burned out by 8am local time this morning.