(ANSA) - Brindisi, December 30 - Intelligence sources said
Tuesday that the fire-damaged ferry Norman Atlantic, which
caught fire killing at least 10 and forcing evacuation of 427
people, was being towed towards Albania.
Although Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said Monday all were
evacuated from the car ferry, Greek media reported some 38
people were still missing.
Italian authorities say it is difficult to pin down
precise numbers because not everyone who reserved a place on the
ferry, which was travelling to Italy from Greece, showed up.
Stowaways were also possible. Helicopter crews were brought in to rescue passengers and crew members from the multi-deck car ferry. However, rough seas and stormy weather hampered the rescue effort that continued through Sunday night and into the next day. The death toll continued to rise as investigators took stock of the disaster and began a probe of how the fire started. Rescued passengers were treated for hypothermia from the cold and wet.
Stowaways were also possible. Helicopter crews were brought in to rescue passengers and crew members from the multi-deck car ferry. However, rough seas and stormy weather hampered the rescue effort that continued through Sunday night and into the next day. The death toll continued to rise as investigators took stock of the disaster and began a probe of how the fire started. Rescued passengers were treated for hypothermia from the cold and wet.
