Ferry on fire with 478 people trapped on board near Greek island of Corfu

#Corfu #FerryonFire #NormanAtlantic It was a tragedy of no mean proportions when 478 persons got trapped on a blazing ferry off the Greek island of Corfu after it caught alight in gale-force winds. As per reports, the fire broke out on the lower car deck of the Italian-flagged Norman Atlantic. The ferry was traveling from the Greek port of Patras to Ancona in Italy.
The authorities have confirmed that there were 423 passengers and 55 crew members on board and said more than half of them remain trapped on the ferry since the rescue operations were hampered by the rough seas and bad weather. Apparently, some of the passengers have were stranded on an upper deck of the stricken ferry for more than six hours, as they are unable to be lowered to lifeboats due to the high seas.
A massive rescue operation is being planned with assistance of Greece and Italy - Greek authorities have dispatched five helicopters and a military transport plane to assist in the operation. Prime Minister Antonis Samaras was in contact with his Italian counterpart, Matteo Renzi, to coordinate the operation 'at the highest level'. In the opinion of an Italian coastguard spokesman, the rescue operation was likely to last for hours.
Italy has also sent resources like a coastguard boat, an Italian Navy helicopter and an Air Force aircraft. Moreover, at least eight merchant ships, which were in the area at the time of the fire breaking out, have reportedly joined the rescue effort and are trying to create a barrier against winds of up to 55 miles per hour.
The rescue crews are simultaneously waiting for a tug boat to arrive so that the ferry can be towed to the nearest port.