Moment plumes of smoke billow from 88ft yacht owned by Spanish poker pro nicknamed 'The Lion' near Mediterranean island | The Sun

THIS is the moment plumes of smoke billowed from an 88ft yacht owned by a Spanish poker pro nicknamed "The Lion" near a Mediterranean island.

The luxury vessel, named Irmao, went up in flames with five crew and 12 passengers on board, before sinking in Formentera.

Those on board were rescued before the ship became rapidly engulfed in flames.

The Consell de Formentera (Formentera city council) said the yacht was owned by pro poker player Diego Gomez Gonzalez, also known as The Lion, who earned his nickname after dressing up as the predator at the 2012 European Poker Tour in Prague.

Spanish coastguards released the horror footage of the blaze as they towed the floating inferno through the waters, but confirmed that it had later sunk near the Mediterranean island.

It has been reported that only one of the crew members on board, a 39-year-old Spaniard, required hospital treatment for the burns he had following the incident.

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It was not made immediately clear this morning if the people on board Irmao were tourists who had chartered the yacht or guests of the owner.

Their nationalities have not been made public yet either.

The flaming yacht was spotted at 6pm yesterday as it was anchored off Es Cavall d'en Borras beach in the Ses Salines Natural Park. 

Stunned onlookers watched on from the decks of their own boats as thick black plumes of smoke rose into the sky.

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Shocking footage captured the devastating damage caused to the glam yacht as the raging flames left it a charred, black shell.

The flames were said to have spread throughout the vessel within minutes, transforming it into a fireball that was reportedly visible from Ibiza.

The Spanish coastguard said in a short statement published alongside the footage of their vessel Acrux towing the yacht: "Yesterday a fire occurred on board Irmao off of Formentera.

"Private vessels rescued the 17 people on board.

"Our centre in the Majorcan capital Palma mobilised Acrux which towed the yacht which was on fire, but it sank."

It is also not yet known whether the owner, Gonzalez, was aboard the vessel when it went up in flames.

The 34-year-old, from Madrid, Spain came fifth in the European Poker Tour 2012and copped a massive £200,000, earning his title as a pro player.

Local reports on the poker player have stated that he learned the game through playing with his family and friends during his childhood.

He later went on to begin playing online before joining the Spanish poker circuit.

His yacht is based in Ibiza and is described online as being available for "out-of-this-world charter vacations".

Before being destroyed by the wild inferno, Irmao slept 12 in a VIP cabin and also had one double cabin and four twin cabins.

It also boasted a jacuzzi as well as waterskis, paddleboards, and snorkelling equipment for guests adventuring aboard the stunning yacht.

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Irmao costs £45,800 to charter in summer and £38,900 in low season.

Following the blaze, Formentera Council officials said they would now be monitoring the situation over the next few days but have confirmed that so far no fuel contamination has been detected.

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