Local media reported that twelve people were on board the ship, which is allegedly operated by Korsar.

10:18, Mon, Jun 30, 2025 | UPDATED: 10:34, Mon, Jun 30, 2025

Explosion on board the Merlion catamaran near Vladivostok

A Russian ship in the Sea of Japan (East Sea) exploded into a ball of flames after a fire broke out on board. The catamaran was reportedly taking tourists on an excursion near Vladivostok when it ran into trouble.

Video images shot by rescuers show the moment a massive explosion rips through the stricken boat, sending a giant ball of flames and a plume of thick black smoke skywards. Local media reported that there were twelve people on board the ship, which is reportedly operated by the company Korsar.

Russia

The Merlion catamaran was reportedly on a tourist excusrion. (Image: X social media)

Vladivostok

A massive explosion ripped through the stricken vessel. (Image: X social media)

Miraculously, all the tourists were evacuated by a passing boat before the blast destroyed the catamaran.

The Merlion, built in 2021, can carry up to 30 people and is equipped with a barbecue and a small motorboat.

The shipbuilding company that made the catamaran told local media the Merlion was never designed for tourist excursions.

Sergei Voloshchenko, Gen Designer of the Composite Shipbuilding shipyard, told VL.ru News: "This vessel was built by our company for a private customer. Then the vessel was resold to Korsar, and the license was obtained illegally.

"The license could not be issued for a vessel with gasoline engines. This is prohibited by the Technical Regulations on the safety of marine transport facilities.

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"For four years, passenger transportation was carried out with the threat of mass loss of life.

"The Investigative Committee for Primorsky Krai ignored numerous statements that were sent on my behalf."

A representative that owns a similar catamaran and organises sea excursions shrugged off the innocent.

They said: "It doesn't belong to us. People have been saved. Catamarans burn, that happens."

Authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the incident for the violation of traffic safety rules and the operation of water transport.

Vladivostok is a major Pacific port city in Russia overlooking Golden Horn Bay, near the borders with China and North Korea.

It is the home base for Russia's Pacific Fleet, whose personnel have found themselves drafted into the infantry and sent to fight in Ukraine.