Rescue services attempt to save two lorry drivers trapped on Euroferry Olympia, which was headed to Italy
Greek rescue forces are desperately trying to save two people trapped onboard a stricken ferry amid fears that 14passengers were missing nearly eight hours after the ship burst into flames.
A Super Puma helicopter had attempted several times to approach the Euroferry Olympia, an Italian liner en route to Brindisi, when the fire broke out at around 4am. State-run TV described the pair – a Bulgarian and a Turk – as lorry drivers trapped in the ship’s garage.
“Efforts are being made to lead them to the deck,” a Greek coastguard official told reporters, adding that the helicopter was waiting to airlift them away.
Four lifeboats carrying an estimated 279 people had meanwhile headed for the Ionian island of Corfu, where authorities were hoping to match arrivals with the passenger list assembled by crew.
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