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Greek ferry fire: Evacuation hampered by winds | Greek ferry fire: Evacuation hampered by winds |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Ships and helicopters are taking part in a major rescue operation after a Greek ferry carrying 478 people caught fire around 40 nautical miles north-west of Corfu. | |
The Norman Atlantic was travelling from Patras in Greece to Ancona in Italy. | |
Choppy seas and strong winds are hampering the rescue. Early reports that it was tilting have been denied. | |
There are no reports of casualties. Some 111 people have been rescued, the Italian Navy says. | |
Italian media say the fire broke out on the ferry's car deck early on Sunday morning. | Italian media say the fire broke out on the ferry's car deck early on Sunday morning. |
Around 35 passengers were transferred to a nearby Greek ferry by lifeboat, Merchant Marine Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis said. | Around 35 passengers were transferred to a nearby Greek ferry by lifeboat, Merchant Marine Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis said. |
"This is a complicated rescue mission... The visibility is poor and the weather conditions are difficult, but we are confident because there are a good number of ships in the area," he said. | |
Italian and Albanian teams are also taking part in the rescue operation. | Italian and Albanian teams are also taking part in the rescue operation. |
One of the passengers told Greek TV station Mega: "Our shoes started being submerged as we were in the reception area. We are burning and sinking with no-one able to rescue us. Please help us, do not leave us alone." | |
Ferries are an important mode of transport between Greece's hundreds of islands as well as neighbouring countries. | Ferries are an important mode of transport between Greece's hundreds of islands as well as neighbouring countries. |