Dozens Dead in Aegean Ferry Disaster
A T H E N S, Greece, Sept. 27 -- At least 55 people are dead and about 50 missing after a Greek ferry carrying more than 500 passengers and crew sank in the Aegean Sea
The ferry boat Express Samina hit a rocky islet in rough seas Tuesday, about two miles off the popular resortisland of Paros, rescue officials said.
Coast guard officials said they could not explain why the ship hit the reef, which ismarked on maritime charts and has a navigation light.
“You have to be blind not to see it,” said Coast Guard chief Andreas Sirigos.
He added the coast guard was also investigating why it took thecrew nearly 20 minutes to inform the coast guard that the ship wassinking. The ship sank within 30-45 minutes of striking the reef.
Massive Rescue Operation
The huge, sometimes chaotic, air-sea rescue is being carried out by the Greek coast guard, fishermen, private boat-owners and helicopters from the nearby British Royal Navy warship Invincible. At least 430 people were rescued by daybreak today.
But bad weather was delaying efforts to bring relatives, media and additional help to the scene. So far, seven injured people have been airlifted to Athens for hospitalization. The gale-force storm, with winds blowing up to 46 miles per hour, is hampering attempts to airlift others.
Greek television was providing continuous coverage of the disaster, showing rescue flares and searchlights illuminating the dark waters as well as distraught relatives and wounded survivors.
The tragedy comes at the height of the local tourist season, when many families travel. There are fears that the number of missing may actually be higher, since children under 5 travel free and are generally not registered on the passenger list.
Minoan Flying Dolphins, the Express Samina’s owner, said therewere 447 passengers and 64 crew members aboard the boat.
Stormy Seas and Human Error
Early reports blame stormy seas and possible human error, and perhaps a soccer game. Greek TV commentators speculated that key crew members may have been watching the game — and neglecting their duties on deck.
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