46 people abandon ship during Great Barrier Reef fire

CANBERRA, Australia – Police say all 46 people aboard a tourist catamaran have been rescued after the vessel caught fire and sank on Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

A police statement said 19 of those rescued were taken to hospitals in Bundaberg and Gladstone for treatment of non-life threatening injuries after the vessel sank late Wednesday.

Nine Network television reports most of those on board were Chinese tourists.

Police say the 23-meter (75-foot) catamaran, Spirit of 1770, was returning to the town of 1770 after a day trip to Lady Musgrave Island when it caught fire and was abandoned 30 minutes later.

Australian Broadcasting Corp. reports passengers and crew took to life rafts.