Shocking moment £80m superyacht bursts into flames while docked in St Tropez

Huge flames could be seen billowing up from an £80million superyacht ablaze inSt Tropez. The 41m-long superyacht known as Sea Lady II was engulfed in fire on Thursday evening.

According to local reports, people saw smoke coming out of the yacht before flames broke out and spread across the yacht. Two people aged 24 and 35 - believed to be crew members - were rescued from the boat suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation. There were no other reported injuries.

"Smoke was reported soon after 8pm," said a Var department emergency services spokesman. "The yacht’s forward hull then burst into flames, and then the fire spread to the lower decks."

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The footage shows fire and a black cloud of smoke billowing out of the front of the yacht. Firefighters brought the fire under control at around midnight local time.

While the worst of the blaze was extinguished by midnight, firefighters reported "difficulties boarding the boat", a spokesman said. He added: "Surrounding yachts were quickly cleared, and we set up anti-pollution barriers. This is because it was likely that the boat was sinking into the sea."

It is understood the boat entered the port at around 6pm with the fire then breaking out two hours later, beginning in the yacht's bow before spreading to the lower decks. Authorities had difficulties boarding the yacht and so it took longer for them to put out the blaze.

Hundreds of tourists looked on with many filming videos and taking photos while the owner did not appear to be present. Authorities have not determined what started the fire but an investigation has been launched into the incident.

The Sea Lady II was originally called D’Angleterre II after being built in the Souter yard in Cowes on the Isle of Wight. The superyacht was designed by Don Shead Yacht Design and can accommodate up to 10 guests across five rooms and costs around £70,000 to charter in high season.

Launched in 1986, and having undergone a full refit last year, she now sails under a Maltese flag. She has a crew of eight. The Sea Lady II has an aluminium hull and superstructure, and has a cruising speed of 12 knots and a top speed of 16.