Photo by CNA
A serious fire incident occurred aboard the cruise ship World Legacy in the early hours of February 20, 2026, while the vessel was navigating toward Singapore. The tragedy resulted in the death of a 23-year-old crew member and the emergency evacuation of hundreds of passengers. This incident has drawn significant attention to the safety standards for refurbished vessels and to Singapore’s maritime authorities’ rapid response capabilities. It also highlights the fire hazards present on cruise ships and the need for strict control by the ship’s crew, along with a comprehensive fire safety regime implemented by the Management Companies.
Learn more about similar incidents in our Maritime Accident section.
The Incident: Flames on Deck 9
The alarm was first raised at approximately 4:00 AM local time. At the time of the alert, the World Legacy—a Liberia-registered cruise ship operated by Singapore-based World Cruises—was positioned in the waters southwest of Singapore. Preliminary reports from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) indicate that the fire originated in a lounge area on Deck 9, specifically identified by witnesses as a karaoke room.
While the ship’s onboard firefighting teams immediately engaged the blaze, the scale of the smoke necessitated a high-level response. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) deployed marine firefighters who successfully brought the fire under control and fully extinguished it by daybreak.
Casualty and Injury Report
Despite the swift response, the incident proved fatal for one young seafarer.
| Personnel | Count | Status/Details |
| Crew Members | 388 | 1 Fatality (Indonesian national, 23); 387 safe. |
| Passengers | 271 | 267 safe; 4 hospitalized for smoke inhalation. |
| Total Onboard | 659 | Evacuation completed by 1:00 PM. |
The deceased crew member, identified by the initials PL, was a laundry attendant. He was found collapsed in a lobby on Deck 9. Medical personnel performed emergency resuscitation, but he was tragically pronounced dead at 4:30 AM due to cardiopulmonary arrest secondary to asphyxiation.
Evacuation and Emergency Logistics
The evacuation of 271 passengers—139 of whom were Singaporean—was a complex logistical feat coordinated by the MPA, the Police Coast Guard, and the SCDF.
- Ferry Transfer: The MPA activated ferry operator BatamFast to assist. Passengers were transferred from the World Legacy to the HarbourFront Ferry Terminal in stages.
- Medical Triage: Upon arrival at the terminal, paramedics met passengers. While most were physically unharmed, the psychological toll was evident. Four passengers required hospitalisation at the Singapore General Hospital for further assessment of respiratory issues.
- Current Anchorage: The vessel is stable and remains moored at the Raffles Reserved Anchorage, a specialised zone near Pulau Semakau, typically used for vessel repairs and bunkering.
“Everyone panicked. The loudspeaker announced the fire and asked everyone to move to Deck 7. It was a truly terrible and traumatising experience.” — Quynh, 31, a passenger onboard.
A History of “Teething Issues”
The World Legacy is no stranger to the headlines. Launched in late 2025 by Turn Capital, the ship was marketed as a “lifestyle playground at sea,” targeting a younger demographic with short “staycation” style cruises. However, the vessel—originally the 1982-built ferry Moby Zaza—has faced significant scrutiny since its inception.
Before this fatal incident, passengers had documented a string of operational failures during its “testing phase” in December 2025:
- Water Quality: Numerous reports of brown or discoloured tap water in cabins.
- Infrastructure: Frequent breakdowns of elevators and weak air conditioning in tropical heat.
- Power Failures: Intermittent electrical outages that disrupted onboard services.
Industry experts are now questioning whether these earlier mechanical issues were precursors to the fire. If a vessel struggles with basic plumbing and lift maintenance, questions naturally arise regarding the integrity of its electrical wiring and fire suppression systems.
Regulatory and Investigative Next Steps
The investigation is currently being led by the MPA in collaboration with the Liberian Ship Registry (the flag state).
Key Investigation Areas
- Origin Point: Determining the exact cause of the fire on Deck 9 (e.g., electrical fault vs. human error).
- Fire Suppression Efficacy: Evaluating why the onboard sprinkler and containment systems did not prevent the fatality.
- Structural Integrity: Classification society surveyors from RINA (Registro Italiano Navale) are scheduled to board the vessel to assess if the ship is fit for future service or requires extensive dry-docking.
World Cruises has suspended all upcoming sailings and is offering full refunds to affected guests. A core crew remains on the vessel to maintain essential safety watches while the remainder of the staff is progressively disembarked.
Sources
- Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) Media Releases (Feb 20-21, 2026).
- The Straits Times: “Crew member dies after fire on cruise ship en route to Singapore.”
- Channel News Asia (CNA): “Passengers recount escape from fire on World Legacy.”
- CruiseMapper: Incident History of World Legacy (Ex-Moby Zaza).
