A fire broke out on board the Grimaldi Lines ferry “Euroferry Olympia” en route from Igoumenitsa to Brindisi. According to reports from the Greek media, the flames developed on board the island of Corfu, 10 miles from the Greek coast, in the garage of the ferry, probably in a truck. The ship’s captain gave the evacuation order at 4.30 in the morning.
All 237 passengers and 50 crew members were rescued with lifeboats, Greek Deputy Minister for Navigation Kostas Katasafados said, stating that they are all fine. The passengers were transferred to Rhodes. Five Greek Coast Guard boats arrived to rescue the burning ferry, and other private ships that were in the area also joined the rescue operations.