Greece: Search expanded on burning ferry; 10 missing
Posted February 21, 2022 6:00 am
CORFU, Greece (AP) - Fire service rescuers expanded a search Monday inside a burning ferry anchored off the Greek island of Corfu where 10 people remain missing.
The fire on the Italian-flagged Euroferry Olympia is burning for a fourth day but rescuers have gained more expanded access inside the 183-meter (600 foot) vessel after containing the blaze.
The body of a Greek man was discovered inside the ship Sunday. A total of 281 people were rescued. They included two men who were airlifted by rescuers off the ferry and a third man who managed to free himself and reach the deck of the vessel after being trapped for more than two days.
Relatives of the missing passengers waited for news outside the port authority on Corfu, among them the family of Greek truck driver Nikos Bekiaris, a father of three.
"I feel certain that my husband is alive because he is a professional, he is experienced, he knows how to look after himself. He is waiting for help,'³ the missing driver's wife, Vania Bekiari told the AP, her voice breaking with emotion.
Seagulls fly as smoke rises from the Italian-flagged Euroferry Olympia, which is on fire for the fourth day in a row, in the Ionian sea near the island of Corfu, northwestern Greece, Monday, Feb. 21, 2022. Fire service rescuers expanded a search Monday inside a burning ferry anchored off the Greek island of Corfu where 10 people remain missing. The body of a Greek man was discovered inside the ship Sunday as a total of 281 people were rescued. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
Vana Bekiari, wife of a truck driver who is missing from the burning Italian-flagged Euroferry Olympia, waits for news outside the Hellenic Coast Guard office at the port of the island of Corfu, Greece, on Monday, Feb. 21, 2022. Fire service rescuers expanded a search Monday inside a burning ferry anchored off the Greek island of Corfu where 10 people remain missing. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
Smoke rises from the Italian-flagged Euroferry Olympia, which is on fire for third day, in the Ionian Sea near the Greek island of Corfu, on Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022. Rescue teams in Greece searched a burning ferry Saturday for a dozen of people believed to be missing after it caught fire in the Ionian Sea while en route to Italy, while passengers described a frightening evacuation from the ship. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
Firefighters carry a body from the Italian-flagged Euroferry Olympia, which is on fire for third day, in the Ionian Sea near the Greek island of Corfu, on Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022. A survivor has been rescued Sunday morning from the stern of a still burning passenger ferry, Greece's coast guard said. (Hellenic Fire Service via AP)
The Associated Press
Firefighters carry a body from the Italian-flagged Euroferry Olympia, which is on fire for third day, in the Ionian Sea near the Greek island of Corfu, on Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022. A survivor has been rescued Sunday morning from the stern of a still burning passenger ferry, Greece's coast guard said. (Hellenic Fire Service via AP)
The Associated Press
Firefighters remove a body from the Italian-flagged Euroferry Olympia, which is on fire for third day, in the Ionian Sea near the Greek island of Corfu, on Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022. A survivor has been rescued Sunday morning from the stern of a still burning passenger ferry, Greece's coast guard said. (Hellenic Fire Service via AP)
The Associated Press
Smoke rises from the Italian-flagged Euroferry Olympia, which is on fire for the fourth day in a row, in the Ionian sea near the Greek island of Corfu, on Monday, Feb. 21, 2022. Fire service rescuers expanded a search Monday inside a burning ferry anchored off the Greek island of Corfu where 10 people remain missing. The body of a Greek man was discovered inside the ship Sunday as a total of 281 people were rescued. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
Smoke rises from the Italian-flagged Euroferry Olympia, which is on fire for the fourth day in a row, in the Ionian sea near the Greek island of Corfu, on Monday, Feb. 21, 2022. Fire service rescuers expanded a search Monday inside a burning ferry anchored off the Greek island of Corfu where 10 people remain missing. The body of a Greek man was discovered inside the ship Sunday as a total of 281 people were rescued. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
Smoke rises from the Italian-flagged Euroferry Olympia, which is on fire for the fourth day in a row, in the Ionian sea near the Greek island of Corfu, on Monday, Feb. 21, 2022. Fire service rescuers expanded a search Monday inside a burning ferry anchored off the Greek island of Corfu where 10 people remain missing. The body of a Greek man was discovered inside the ship Sunday as a total of 281 people were rescued. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
Seagulls fly as smoke rises from the Italian-flagged Euroferry Olympia, which is on fire for the fourth day in a row, in the Ionian sea near the Greek island of Corfu, on Monday, Feb. 21, 2022. Fire service rescuers expanded a search Monday inside a burning ferry anchored off the Greek island of Corfu where 10 people remain missing. The body of a Greek man was discovered inside the ship Sunday as a total of 281 people were rescued. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
Seagulls fly as smoke rises from the Italian-flagged Euroferry Olympia, which is on fire for the fourth day in a row, in the Ionian sea near the Greek island of Corfu, on Monday, Feb. 21, 2022. Fire service rescuers expanded a search Monday inside a burning ferry anchored off the Greek island of Corfu where 10 people remain missing. The body of a Greek man was discovered inside the ship Sunday as a total of 281 people were rescued. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
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