Greece’s special fire brigade disaster unit (EMAK) was called to the area South East of Erikoussa island in the Ionian Sea to free two foreign vehicle drivers trapped on board of burning ‘Euroferry Olympia’.
An Afghan national, who was not registered in ‘Euroferry Olympia”s passenger list, and a Bulgarian driver had notified authorities they were inside the ship, where a fire broke out on one of three levels with vehicles, the Athens-Macedonian News Agency reported. The two men are suffering respiratory complications from the fire. A Turkish driver is still missing.
According to Port Authority spokesperson Nikos Lagadianos, 11 people remain unaccounted for, including three Greeks, for whom authorities are searching for. Among those rescued is a passenger whose name was not on official lists. The fire broke out on one of the third car deck around midnight as it as it was sailing off Erikoussa, near Corfu, while carrying out the journey from Igoumenitsa to the port of Brindisi in Italy. When the fire started, the ship’s captain ordered that the ship be immediately evacuated and 278 individuals passengers and crew were transported with safety to the port of Corfu by Greek and Italian coast guard vessels in the area. One individual with respiratory problems was taken to the island’s hospital.
Three tugboats with firefighting equipment, and an open-type ferry transporting two firetrucks were deployed, Lagadianos said, adding that two more boats are expected. The submarine operations unit of the Port Authority-Coast Guard also arrived.
Owner and shipping firm Grimaldi Group said the ship was also carrying 153 trucks and 32 passenger vehicles. It added that no fuel leak has been detected in the sea surrounding the ferry while its stability has not been affected.
The Italian Coast Guard also dispatched the ship ‘Diciotti’ from Catagna, on Sicily’s east coast, to assist with firefighting efforts at the Italian-flagged ‘Euroferry Olympia’ near Corfu.
The Italian authorities also said they would contribute ships to help with any potential fuel leaks in the Ionian Sea. Additionally, owners Grimaldi Group said they were contributing ships to help put the fire out.
