30 tourists rescued from London boat fire

LONDON: London authorities say they have rescued 30 people from the River Thames after a Duck Tour boat caught fire near the Houses of Parliament.
Police and fire services said in statements that the boat carried 28 tourists and two crew members. Many of the tourists jumped into the river after the blaze broke out Sunday, but passing tourist boats rescued them.
A woman and a child were taken to the hospital due to suspected smoke inhalation. Other passengers were seen warming themselves with tea by the riverside.
Duck Tour boats can travel on land and in the water.
Television footage showed black smoke billowing from the yellow vessel near London's Lambeth Bridge.
The London Fire Brigade said six fire engines and a fire boat helped put out the blaze.
“People are clearly cold, wet and in shock but they were pulled from the water really quickly,” said Neil Withers, a manager at the London Fire Brigade.
“A number of people jumped into the water but they were soon rescued and fortunately at this stage it does not look like anyone has been seriously injured.”