Adriatic ferry fire: Hundreds trapped on burning vessel off Greece as storms hamper rescue efforts An international rescue operation is underway to try save hundreds of passengers trapped on a burning ferry in treacherous weather in the Adriatic Sea. Greek and Italian authorities say one person has died and more than 170 of the nearly 500 onboard have been airlifted to safety. Military and emergency crews from Greece, Italy and Albania are battling fierce storms and darkness as they attempt to rescue more than 300 people remaining onboard. A fire broke out on the car deck of the Italian-flagged Norman Atlantic as it was making its way from Patras in Greece to Ancona in Italy, with 478 people onboard. It was 44 nautical miles from Corfu early on Sunday morning when the blaze broke out. The crew sent a distress signal, and some passengers used their mobile phones to call Greek TV stations in desperation, as they tried to avoid smoke from the fire below, and gale force winds and hail from above. The difficult weather conditions have complicated rescue efforts by Greek, Italian and Albanian authorities. Two people plucked off the ship by a Greek army helicopter fell into six-metre waves below. Rough seas and thick fog in the area also led to the collision of two merchant ships, resulting in at least one death. The Greek coastguard has called the effort to rescue people superhuman. Seven merchant ships gathered round the ferry to act as a wind-break as firefighting vessels made their way to the scene. Italys coastguard said it had recovered the body of a man who threw himself off the burning ferry, confirming the first casualty of the disaster. The chief executive of the Visenti Group which owns the ferry said it recently passed a technical inspection after repairs to a faulty fire door. The tests confirmed that the boat was in full working order, Carlos Visentini said. He said the company had addressed minor flaws found after checks by Greek authorities in the port of Patras. The inspectors did uncover a slight malfunction in one of the fire doors, number 112, situated on bridge number 5, the one where, according to the information we have so far, the fire developed, he said. This was immediately repaired to the satisfaction of the inspectors and therefore the boat was able to continue in service. Greek shipping minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis said the fire now appeared to be partly under control and the ship would be towed to Italy - either Brindisi or Otranto, according to Italian officials - once towing cables could be attached. He said the airlifts would continue while the ferry was being towed towards port, and rescue workers would try to get closer by boat to bring people off if conditions allowed. It will be a very difficult night and I hope that everything will go well and we will rescue all passengers and all crew members, Mr Varvitsiotis said. Complex rescue operation The Italian navy said two Italian airforce helicopters, one Greek Superpuma helicopter and an Italian plane were taking part in the rescue, winching up passengers in small groups. Other aircraft and 10 ships were also taking part in the operation in support roles. Greek coastguard spokesman Nikos Lagkadianos said the heavy rain that was hampering the rescue had helped contain the fire although the ship was still burning. Terrified passengers told how they had to move higher and higher in the ferry to escape the flames. We went to the deck where there were life boats, but at some point we felt the floor burning and we went higher up to the heliport, Rania Fireou told Greek television by phone before the airlifts began. There are many children and elderly people aboard. We have gathered all together and we are trying to warm ourselves. Bad weather hampers rescue effort Mr Varvitsiotis said the bad weather with winds of up to 88 kilometres per hour made the operation one of the most complex Greek authorities had been involved in but he vowed that no-one would be left behind. Coastguard officials said the Norman Atlantic, which was also carrying more than 200 vehicles, was 44 nautical miles northwest of the island of Corfu when it radioed for help. Command of the operation was transferred to Italy after winds took the drifting ferry out of Greek waters but officials were coordinating closely and an Albanian coastguard vessel was also taking part. Officials said most of the passengers were Greek but the passenger list included names from several other countries including Germany, Italy, Austria, Turkey, France and the Netherlands. Many were believed to be truck drivers. The Norman Atlantic is a 26,900-tonne, roll-on roll-off ferry, chartered by Greek ferry company ANEK. According to marine traffic data, it was built in 2009 and previously operated in Italy. Source: ABC News/Wires
Posted on: Mon, 29 Dec 2014 00:09:33 +0000
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