Maxi fire on the ferry: 300 people on board

Emergency off the Swedish coast, in the Baltic Sea, where a ferry carrying 300 people is on fire .

The authorities announced it. A major rescue operation is underway.

"There is a fire on the car deck," said Jonas Franzen, a spokesman for the Swedish maritime administration.

Three helicopters and seven ships were sent to the scene and evacuation began. The boat, Stena Scandica, is located off the island of Gotska Sandon in the southeastern part of Sweden.

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

(Unioneonline / D)