Moment flaming 88ft luxurious yacht ‘owned by eccentric Spanish professional poker player nicknamed ‘The Lion” is towed away before sinking – after all 17 people on board were rescued by private boats

This is when a flaming 80-foot luxury yacht, reportedly owned by an eccentric poker player nicknamed ‘The Lion’, was towed away by the Spanish Coast Guard earlier than sinking off the Mediterranean island of Formentera.

All 17 individuals on board, 5 crew members and 12 passengers, have been miraculously rescued by personal boats that got here to their help when the Italian-designed cruiser named Irmao was reworked right into a floating inferno.

Spanish coastguards launched footage of the burning yacht being dragged additional out to sea as they fought to place out the flames, however they confirmed the ship had submerged at a pure landmark known as Punta de Sa Pedrera.

Accompanying the video, the Coast Guard stated in a quick assertion: “Yesterday a fire occurred aboard Irmao near Formentera. Private vessels rescued the 17 people on board.

“Our center in the Mallorcan capital of Palma mobilized Acrux who towed the yacht that was on fire, but sank.”

Only one of many crew, described as a 39-year-old Spaniard, required hospital therapy for minor burns, in accordance with regional catastrophe response coordinators.

The alarm went off at round 6pm yesterday because the yacht, which prices £46,000 to constitution in the summertime, was anchored off Es Cavall d’en Borras seashore within the Ses Salines Natural Park.

Spectators gathered close by in their very own boats to look at the blaze erupt as thick black smoke rose into the sky above the stricken ship, believed to be owned by poker participant Diego Gomez Gonzalez, also referred to as The Lion.

It just isn’t but identified if Gonzalez was on his yacht or if it was chartered. The 34-year-old, from Madrid, received his nickname after dressing up in a full-body lion costume on the 2012 European Poker Tour ultimate desk in Prague.

Local media studies that he was born within the Spanish capital in 1988 and realized poker by taking part in along with his household and college buddies.

He began taking it up on-line and later joined the Spanish poker circuit. His largest win of his profession got here on the European Poker Tour in Prague, the place he completed fifth and picked up £200,000 whereas dressed as a lion.

The following 12 months he additionally got here second within the EPT Master’s Final in Dortmund, taking residence £30,000.

The superb sandy seashore the place his yacht anchored is likely one of the finest in Formentera – a Balearic island subsequent to Ibiza – the place Leonardo DiCaprio has been seen partying in current days.

It is residence to the well-known El Tiburon and Beso Beach bar-restaurants.

Shocking video reveals the devastating harm brought on by the roaring flames because the ship is totally gutted.

The flames would have unfold by the yacht inside minutes, turning it right into a ball of fireside seen from Ibiza.

It was not instantly clear whether or not these on board have been vacationers who had chartered the yacht or visitors of the proprietor.

Their nationality has not but been disclosed.

The yacht is predicated in Ibiza and is marketed on-line as being accessible for ‘alien charter holidays’.

It sleeps 12 in a VIP cabin, a twin cabin and 4 twin cabins.

Built in 1995, the luxurious yacht additionally includes a Jacuzzi on the deck, whereas visitors have entry to water skis, paddle boards and snorkeling gear.

Irmao prices £45,800 to constitution in the summertime and £38,900 within the off-season.

Formentera Council officers stated they’d monitor the state of affairs within the coming days, however stated no gasoline contamination had been detected thus far.

Last summer time, a £20 million superyacht owned by rich Italian businessman Paolo Scudieri went up in flames off the coast of Ibiza.

The 45-meter ship Aria SF caught hearth on August 11, only a month after it was delivered to its multimillionaire proprietor.

The Spanish Coast Guard despatched two lifeboats to the realm when the 9 passengers and 7 crew members deserted ship on a misery name following a failed try and extinguish the fireplace.

There have been no studies of accidents.

The black smoke that brought about the fireplace could possibly be seen so far as Mallorca.