The Euroferry Olympia caught fire early yesterday morning
for unknown reasons. Most of the
passengers and crew were saved by lifeboats that took them to Greek and Italian
ships that took them to safety in Corfu. Information about 11 missing people is causing serious concern. We must
tell their families and friends to be patient because all that is possible is
done to find them by local authorities so we hope they will soon all be together
again.
The fire broke out shortly after the departure of the ship
from the port of Igoumenitsa in the early hours of Friday off Erekousa. According to Greek media, some people are
injured and were taken to hospitals in Corfu and we wish them a speedy and
complete recovery.
It is believed that the fire broke out from a refrigerator truck
on the ferry. “The flames started coming
out from the upper decks after we had left the ship,” said a passenger “It was
then that we heard explosions.” According
to him the crew was organized and trained.
“If the crew did not react immediately, I do not know what would have
happened, maybe we would be overtaken,” he said.
The Greek coast guard said in total 239 passengers and 51
crew members had been on board of the Italian-flagged Euroferry Olympia and
most f them had boarded rescue vessels that took them to safety to Corfu where
ambulances were waiting.
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