27 Feb 2006

South Korean vessel catches fire in French Polynesian port

4:48 pm on 27 February 2006

A South Korean fishing vessel has caught fire in French Polynesia's main port.

The vessel, the Chance 101, was at the docks of the French navy in Papeete when the fire broke out in the night.

The Tahitipresse news agency says gas has been leaking from the ship but that the fire hasn't spread to the fuel tanks.

Police have opened an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.

The area around the ship is cordoned off.