Duck Boat passengers jump into the Thames after amphibious craft sets on fire and starts sinking near the Houses of Parliament

These dramatic photographs show how 30 tourists were today forced to jump off a burning Duck Boat into the River Thames as it sank.
Flames ripped through the tour vessel on a stretch of water close to Lambeth Bridge and the Houses of Parliament in Central London around midday.
The passengers - described by a London Fire Brigade spokesman as 'cold, wet and in shock' - were hauled to safety by crews on passing tour barges.
Scroll down for videos

Sinking: Flames ripped through the tour vessel on a stretch of water close to Lambeth Bridge and the Houses of Parliament in Central London shortly before midday

Going down: A London Fire Brigade spokesman said that there did not appear to be any serious injuries, 'but clearly people are cold, wet and in shock'

Seven patients were being treated for smoke inhalation and two people were taken to hospital with minor injuries, the London Ambulance Service said.
A third of the boat was damaged. 'Approximately 30 people were rescued by passing tourist boats,' the fire official said. 'All persons were accounted for.'
It comes three months after 31 people had to be rescued when an amphibious tourist bus called the Yellow Duckmarine sunk in Liverpool’s Albert Dock.

A Metropolitan Police helicopters spokesman said: 'We were on scene extremely quickly, confirming all accounted for and no-one needing rescue.'
Witness Harry Cole, who works for The Spectator magazine, described the events on Twitter as they unfolded, calling the boat a 'flaming vessel of doom'.
Neil Withers, the fire brigade's group manager, who is at the scene, said: ‘A number of people jumped into the water but they were soon rescued.

To safety: The London Fire Brigade said approximately 30 people were rescued by passing tourist boats and 'all persons were accounted for'

Treatment: Seven patients were being treated for smoke inhalation and two people were taken to hospital with minor injuries, the London Ambulance Service said

Rescue: The dozens of people who jumped off the Duck Boat into the River Thames were quickly rescued by firefighters, police and lifeguards on the scene

'ANTIDOTE TO USUAL BUS TOURS'

London Duck Tours touts itself as the ‘antidote to the usual bus tours’ and promises to offer families an ‘adventure on both road and river’.
The yellow boats - known as ducks - are said to offer a ‘much more exciting way to see the capital's landmarks when compared to a London sightseeing bus or cruise’.
The firm's website states: ‘No river cruise in London gives you the excitement of leaving the road and entering the Thames in such dramatic fashion and no river Thames boat cruise is as quirky as a London Duck Tour.’
Tours last around an hour and a quarter, with around 30 minutes spent on the river. They are advertised as the ‘perfect activity for couples, families, friends or if you're looking for things to do in London for kids’.
According to the company, each boat is modified to meet ‘stringent’ safety regulations set by road and river authorities.
Each vehicle seats 30 passengers, has a public address system and is said to be fitted with full safety equipment.

'Fortunately at this stage it doesn’t look like anyone’s been seriously injured. People are clearly cold, wet and in shock but they were pulled from the water really quickly. That’s testament to the work of our firefighters, other emergency rescue teams and others who rushed to the scene to help.
‘People were rescued by firefighters, the RNLI, police officers and other non-emergency boats were also nearby and assisted in the rescue operation.
'The casualties, who are tourists, are being looked after by the London Ambulance Service and firefighters, who are keeping them warm and making them cups of tea.
‘The damaged boat was pulled away from the scene by our fire boat and a full investigation into exactly what happened will now be taking place.’
The brigade had six fire engines, two fire rescue units and its fire boat at the scene. The Port of London Authority is expected to investigate the incident.A police source said the nature of the injuries ‘could have been a lot worse’.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: ‘Police were called at approximately 11.55pm to reports of a fire on a Duck Tours boat on the River Thames. A number of people were reported to be in the water at the time.
'Several Metropolitan Police units attended including the Marine Policing Unit and the police helicopter. A number of people were recovered from the water. All 28 passengers and two crew members have been accounted for. The emergency services are in attendance at the scene.’

It comes after a yacht on the River Ouse in York was destroyed in a blaze last night which led firefighters to evacuate city-centre premises nearby.

The fire happened at about 7.30pm yesterday. North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said when crews arrived they ‘were faced with a severe fire’.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus searched the boat for anyone onboard but there were not thought to be any casualties.

Posted in: News