This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/29/britons-still-trapped-ferry-norman-atlantic

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Britons thought to be among those still trapped on stricken ferry Death toll on stricken ferry rises to five
(35 minutes later)
More than 100 people are still trapped on board a Greek-operated ferry adrift in freezing temperatures and rough seas between Italy and Albania. The death toll from the fire on a Greek ferry in the Adriatic has increased to five, the country’s coastguard has announced.
Italian and Greek helicopter crews using night vision equipment worked through the night, battling winds gusting up to 40 knots (75km/h; 46mph) to bring the total of those rescued from the stricken vessel to 339. So far, only one fatality has been confirmed – that of a Greek man whose body was also taken off the ship. Spokesman Nikos Lagadianos said four more people were found dead on Monday. One Greek man died on Sunday after becoming trapped in a lifeboat chute.
On Monday morning, the Italian navy said a further 138 people were still on the 26,900-ton Norman Atlantic. They were thought to include at least two Britons. Of the 478 passengers and crew on board the ferry, 391 have been rescued so far. The remaining people are still trapped on the ferry adrift in freezing temperatures and rough seas between Italy and Albania.
Fears for the safety of those on board grew after an unidentified Turkish passenger told reporters there had been more deaths than so far disclosed by officials. Italian and Greek helicopter crews using night vision equipment worked through the night, battling winds gusting up to 40 knots (75km/h; 46mph) to rescue those on the stricken vessel. Those still on the 26,900-ton Norman Atlantic were thought to include at least two Britons.
“I saw four dead people with my own eyes. I am quite sure. They were in front of me,” the Italian news agency Ansa quoted him as saying. “I saw four dead people with my own eyes. I am quite sure. They were in front of me,” an unidentified Turkish passenger told Italian news agency Ansa.
The Turkish man was among 49 people brought ashore from a Greek container ship in the south-eastern Italian port of Bari. The ship was meant to have put in at Brindisi, further south. But the sea was so rough that the harbour pilot was unable to get on board and broke an arm trying to do so.The Turkish man was among 49 people brought ashore from a Greek container ship in the south-eastern Italian port of Bari. The ship was meant to have put in at Brindisi, further south. But the sea was so rough that the harbour pilot was unable to get on board and broke an arm trying to do so.
A spokeswoman for the UK Foreign Office said: “Local authorities have confirmed to us that four British nationals have been rescued so far.”A spokeswoman for the UK Foreign Office said: “Local authorities have confirmed to us that four British nationals have been rescued so far.”
A British showjumper, Nick Channing-Williams, is thought to be among those still awaiting rescue. Earlier reports had indicated he was airlifted to safety on Sunday with his Greek fiancee, Regina Theoffili. But his family said Italian officials had told them that, while she had been rescued, he was still on the crippled ferry. A British showjumper, Nick Channing-Williams, is thought to be among those awaiting rescue. Earlier reports had indicated he was airlifted to safety on Sunday with his Greek fiancee, Regina Theoffili. But his family said Italian officials had told them that, while she had been rescued, he was still on the crippled ferry.
Susan Daltas, who lives in Corfu, said her daughter Mia and two granddaughters had been rescued but, she told the BBC, her son-in-law Marcus had remained behind on the Norman Atlantic.Susan Daltas, who lives in Corfu, said her daughter Mia and two granddaughters had been rescued but, she told the BBC, her son-in-law Marcus had remained behind on the Norman Atlantic.
She said her youngest granddaughter had been taken to a mainland hospital. She said her youngest granddaughter had been taken to a mainland hospital. “She was suffering from hypothermia because they didn’t even manage to get a coat out of the cabin before they had to go on deck.”
“She was suffering from hypothermia because they didn’t even manage to get a coat out of the cabin before they had to go on deck.”
The Norman Atlantic was making its way up the Adriatic from Patras in Greece to Ancona on the east coast of Italy when it put out a distress call early on Sunday after a fire broke out on the car deck. Some hours later, the Italian captain told rescuers he could no longer steer the vessel.The Norman Atlantic was making its way up the Adriatic from Patras in Greece to Ancona on the east coast of Italy when it put out a distress call early on Sunday after a fire broke out on the car deck. Some hours later, the Italian captain told rescuers he could no longer steer the vessel.
Attempts to bring another ship alongside were abandoned. Since then, helicopters have been winching people to safety, two at a time, from the uppermost deck of the vessel.Attempts to bring another ship alongside were abandoned. Since then, helicopters have been winching people to safety, two at a time, from the uppermost deck of the vessel.
An Italian air force helicopter pilot, Major Antonio Laneve, told Italian state TV that acrid smoke had filled his helicopter, making the rescue even more difficult. An Italian air force helicopter pilot, Major Antonio Laneve, told Italian state TV that acrid smoke had filled his vehicle, making the rescue even more difficult.
Bad weather overnight hampered efforts to attach cables to the ferry for towing. A tug boat was expected to reach the ship to make another attempt on Monday morning, Greece’s shipping minister, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, told Skai TV. Bad weather overnight hampered efforts to attach cables to the ferry for towing. A tugboat was expected to reach the ship to make another attempt on Monday morning, Greece’s shipping minister, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, told Skai TV.
According to the Italian navy, a medical team has boarded the stricken vessel to assist the passengers and crew.According to the Italian navy, a medical team has boarded the stricken vessel to assist the passengers and crew.
Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.