Five of the missing passengers of the burning Euroferry Olympia ship in Corfu were found alive, as search and rescue operations by Greek authorities are in full flight.
After a large operation, Greece’s Special Units for Disaster Management (EMAK) managed to reach the engine room of the Euroferry Olympia and free a Bulgarian and a Turk who were trapped inside.
Meanwhile, according to the latest information, the EMAK team rappelled on the ship by a helicopter of the Greek Navy, which was forced to leave due to low fuel, and the operation was taken over by a Super Puma that collected the two men with the special net and removed them from the spot. They are reportedly in good health and are expected to be transported to the general hospital of Corfu.
A ground unit of EMAK with about 20 men is also standing by for orders, while a unit of the Submarine Missions Unit of the Coast Guard is also going to assist in the search and rescue operation. A ship with fire trucks is also present with continuous bursts of water on the ship and a tug that is also attempting to extinguish the fire. Three helicopters are also operating.
George Glykofrydis, head of the Greek Rescue Team, told ERT, the ship is burning completely and the smoke is very dense making the efforts extremely difficult. In addition to the firefighting operation, searches at sea are underway to determine if any of the missing people have fallen into the water.
The fire at the Euroferry Olympia, which had departed from Igoumenitsa at 01:30 in the morning bound for Brindisi, broke out at around 04:18 and was immediately ordered to evacuate, which started at 05:14.
A large operation was set up at the port of the Corfu Port Authority to receive passengers. The smoke from the boat can be seen from northern Corfu, while residents of the island also spoke about the sounds of explosions from the boat.
Σε εξέλιξη η επιχείρηση κατάσβεσης στο E/Γ-O/Γ Euroferry Olympia 🛳, στη θαλάσσια περιοχή ΒΑ της νήσου Ερεικούσσας. pic.twitter.com/qCfSJ64t1t
— Πυροσβεστικό Σώμα (@pyrosvestiki) February 18, 2022
